Air quality concerns drive oversight visit to South Durban Basin

COMMUNITIES in the South Durban Basin areas have been grappling with air quality pollution for many years. These are the sentiments shared by speakers engaging with residents at the Merebank Community Centre today (February 27).

The ongoing health and environmental issues emanating from the Durban South Basin has prompted eThekwini Municipality to develop air quality management programmes to tackle health-related issues.

Also read: Air pollution test confirms high levels of benzene in Merebank

To address these concerns, the portfolio committee on Forestry, Fisheries and Environment is conducting an oversight visit in Merebank today (February 27).

This initiative aims to address the environmental and health issues caused by air pollution, while engaging with communities about possible solutions.

The four-day oversight visit began in St Lucia at the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, and continued to uMhlanga.

Also read: Update: Second suspect in Clairwood shooting dies in hospital

The committee is now in Merebank where almost 300 people, representatives from NGOs, members of the ratepayers’ associations, and residents are attending the meeting held at the Merebank Community Hall.

This engagement is part of the ongoing efforts to address the long-standing air quality challenges in the South Durban Basin areas.

Representatives from Sappi, Mondi Merebank and Engen are doing presentations on their ongoing interventions to ease air pollution challenges.

The members of the community will also engage in a question-answer session with representatives from local industries which are generally accused of causing air pollution.

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