Noise from Mining Truck

Thandeka Ngema

The community of Mbabane Village is struggling with excessive noise at night from mining trucks passing near our homes. The mines began operations in 2018, and despite our efforts to voice our concerns, it seems our pleas have gone unheard. While we attempted to communicate with the mining company, they focused on fulfilling different priorities that they believe will improve their lives, leaving us to deal with the numerous issues we face.

The primary concern is the loss of our peaceful sleep due to the loud noises from the trucks. The sounds of rumbling trucks and sudden tire bursts pose a danger to community health. For instance, I have a neighbor with heart disease, and these disruptive noises trigger stress responses, raising heart rates and increasing stress hormones, ultimately harming cardiovascular health.

Fighting for our community’s rights is a challenging journey, and the feeling of being unheard is incredibly frustrating. Every resident has the fundamental right to be consulted on decisions that affect their lives. The South African Constitution protects our freedom of expression and our right to peaceful protest.

What makes matters worse is that despite our efforts to put up road warning signs, truck drivers consistently ignore them. We had speed limit signs indicating “Under 80,” a stop sign, and a “Potholes Ahead” warning. Yet, when we sought assistance, Ikwezi Mine called the police on us. Instead of addressing our concerns, we faced rubber bullets for simply trying to raise our grievances.