Ratepayers vs port authority in Richards Bay ‘dust’ war - TimesLIVE

Richards Bay ratepayers may be celebrating a recent victory against Transnet National Port Authority (TNPA) over its ban of trucks carrying “dirty cargo” from entering a gate near the suburbs, but they are now gearing up for war.

Residents, business and civic organisations say they are sick and tired of breathing in coal dust and sludge which covers their homes, cars and yards, causes respiratory problems, and has ruined roads and highways.

They are determined to push port authorities and municipal managers to get trucks carrying cargo which create dust or cause environmental contamination off the roads and onto the railways.

TNPA’s acting port manager Winnie Mpanza recently issued a directive stopping coal-laden trucks from entering or exiting the Port of Richards Bay’s east gate via Medway Road, following numerous complaints regarding infrastructure damage and environmental pollution.

“In the interest of the surrounding community, neighbouring businesses and port users at large, immediate intervention had to be adopted to mitigate and alleviate the issues at hand,” Mpanza said.

“This decision prioritises the interest of the surrounding community and neighbouring businesses for a clean environment.”

The directive comes after a complaint to the municipality by the Richards Bay Clean Air Association (RBCAA), a non-profit which operates a real-time ambient monitoring network that measures various pollutants including particulate matter (dust). The data is collated into monthly and annual reports and reported against not only South African standards but also World Health Organization guidelines.

“RBCAA was established in 1997 as a direct result of air quality concerns. Our monitoring data is available to the regulatory authorities who are legally mandated to enforce compliance. The data is also used to guide industry in taking corrective actions and implementing of mitigation measures should ambient guidelines be exceeded,” said Sandy Camminga from RBCAA.

She said there are well-documented health effects from the community as a result of dust issues in Richards Bay, which are not only confined to coal dust. Coal dust complaints started around 2020 when the parastatal started handling coal.

“Black dust became an issue and started impacting on the community when Transnet Port Terminals started handling coal, and with that came the influx of trucks due to Transnet’s inability to handle the coal via rail. While the trucks have destroyed our roads and contribute significantly to the coal dust pollution there is a greater cumulative issue when it comes to the black dust, which includes Back-of-Port facilities handling coal in open stockpiles.”

The sludge along the roads is ankle deep and heavy metal toxins cover everything around us from the grass to the trees and inside our homes. I have to clean multiple times a day, and you should see our pools when the wind blows in a certain direction.

Camminga said in addition to the significant health impacts, coal dust contributes to environmental degradation as it settles on vegetation and enters wetlands and water systems in addition to “tearing up” our road infrastructure.

“This has been allowed to continue with no corrective actions being taken by any party until recently when the RBCAA submitted a formal complaint. The action that has subsequently been taken with regards to the Medway cleanup and closure to dirty cargo trucks is a small step in the right direction. We need to see the same collaborative efforts to address the cumulative issues.”

Arboretum resident Teri Nel, who has lived in Richard’s Bay for over 30 years and who initiated a petition, said the medical impact of chronic exposure to airborne coal dust has been well known and felt by residents over the years.

“The sludge along the roads is ankle deep and heavy metal toxins cover everything around us from the grass to the trees and inside our homes. I have to clean multiple times a day, and you should see our pools when the wind blows in a certain direction. It’s not only Alton which is the immediate suburb next to the port, it’s in every suburb.”

Nel said concerned ratepayers and business met with the uMhlathuze municipality officials and port authorities over law enforcement in this matter in July and a follow-up meeting was scheduled.

“There are wash bays in the port for the trucks but they choose not to use them. This wasn’t a problem when coal was transported by rail, which was ideal. But now with the trucks it is will be an issue of logistics companies losing out on millions. That’s money from someone’s pocket and corruption in how this sector works, but we are determined to push for this.”

Sheldon Cramer, who is part of a residents’ action committee, said they are frustrated by the municipality’s inaction and their constant fight with Transnet over the coal dust issue.

“We are aware the fight to go back to the rail is not without challenges given the millions that would be lost by logistics companies who have capitalised on the sabotage to rail resulting in trucks being used in the first place.

“There are unscrupulous role players involved here, but if there is continued pressure from ratepayers and business, governance and monitoring from the various state departments in ensuring health and environmental compliance is priority, then there is a chance of winning this war.”

TNPA said it redirected the trucks following complaints and, through collaborative efforts with uMhlathuze, embarked on a clean-up intervention at the port.

The parastatal said as part of its integrated logistics strategy to move cargo from road to rail, it has approved infrastructure projects ― one in final stages of execution and the second in the design phase ― aimed at improving rail capacity and efficiency within the Bayvue Railyard.

uMhlathuze deputy mayor Muzi Mtshali said: “Law enforcement must play its role in holding accountable those who break the law, particularly truck operators who transport coal without covering their loads and who park illegally on public roads.”