SEBOKENG.- Some of the community based organisations that formed part of this march were Zamdela Air Quality Monitoring Group, Letjhabile Letsatsi in Bophelong, Vuka-Uzenzele Development Forum from Sharpeville, Botle Ba Tlhaho Environmental Group and Serapeng sa Basadi and Lesedi La Sechaba Project.

The Waterdal community under the community leadership of Mamosweu Tsoabi said that the main concern was the respiratory illness caused by the poor air quality in the Vaal Triangle . Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, Tsoabi claimed that Seriti Mine had a blast on September 13, however, this incident was never reported. She said as the results of this, many people in the Waterdal community got sick and some were admitted at the nearest hospital. Tsoabi also said that Eskom’s load shedding is unjustifiable when Lethabo is burning coal everyday causing more air pollution.

“Lethabo Power Station is only one factory but there are more than ten coal mines surrounding it, we don’t know where this coal is going.  This has put much more stress in the Priority Area and the Vaal River,” she told Sedibeng Ster.

This is not the first time the Waterdal community has staged a march against air pollution, especially the trenches that have been left unattended in the area.