Pollution in Morgenzon causes health problems, claims DA
“If the municipality is not in a position to address the problem, the streets must at least be sprayed with water every morning to minimise dust pollution that causes diseases such as asthma, nasal allergy, bronchitis and other pulmonary diseases,” Mr Kubheka said.
The DA-councillor for Morgenzon, Mr Muso Kubheka, issued a press statement on 3 July about heavy-duty trucks passing through town.
According to him, it has made the air so polluted that many residents have coughing and breathing problems.
Residents have lodged a complaint with the DA that the Lekwa Municipality has both neglected them and the infrastructure in town.
The air is thick with dust due to dusty roads and coal trucks that pass through residential areas to the nearby Majuba Power Station.
According to them, trucks previously used the potholed R30, R35 and R39 Roads, but decided to use residential roads that directly exposed them to air and dust pollution, causing health hazards.
Another concern is that there are no traffic officers to monitor the trucks and any other heavy-duty vehicles that use residential roads.
According to Mr Kubheka, the DA has reported the matter to Lekwa on many occasions, to no avail.
“If the municipality is not in a position to address the problem, the streets must at least be sprayed with water every morning to minimise dust pollution that causes diseases such as asthma, nasal allergy, bronchitis and other pulmonary diseases,” Mr Kubheka said.
The National Environmental Management Air Quality Act 39 of 2004, requires that the municipality must protect residents from high levels of air pollution that might expose them to health hazards.
The DA said they will approach the provincial MEC of Public Works, Roads and Transport, Mr Gillion Mashego, to urgently intervene and help the people of Morgenzon.
“Should the MEC fail to help, we will have no choice but to go to the Human Rights Commission since it is a constitutional rights violation,” Mr Kubheka concluded.
The Standerton Advertiser sent an e-mail to Ms Thobeka Mtshiselwa, communications manager of the municipality, on Friday, 5 July about the issue and is awaiting comment.
