The City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) confirmed it is aware of the chrome storage and distribution site operating in Liebenberg Street, Alrode, following complaints raised by neighbouring businesses.

This comes after the Alberton Record previously reported on concerns from Henri Robert, owner of Sign Wonder, who alleged that excessive dust from the adjacent site was affecting his business operations and staff health.

He raised questions about what happened to the Eskom substation project, initially proposed for the property.

In an updated response, city spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said the Community Services Department’s Environmental Health Division, specifically the Air Quality Management Unit, became aware of the chrome storage operation after complaints were referred to the unit.

He confirmed that the facility, operating as Transmed Cargo Services, was previously at 1 Van Till Street in Alrode.

Dlamini said the city’s Air Quality and Noise Management Unit conducted several inspections at the Liebenberg Street site and issued directives to management.

These include implementing dust mitigation measures, conducting dust fall monitoring, and submitting the results to the city.

An independent environmental specialist deployed dust fall buckets around the perimeter of the premises and sent samples for laboratory analysis.

“The results indicated that the current dust mitigation measures are not effective and need to be revisited,” said Dlamini.

Among the recommendations issued were the purchase of a sweeper machine, provision of cumulative storage capacity details, and revision of the facility’s Dust Management Plan to include surrounding areas and public road infrastructure.

The city confirmed that the complaint remains under investigation.

The unit’s last inspection was on February 5, and a follow-up inspection will be done in March.

The matter remains ongoing.

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