Lower Illovo residents note with concern that there are a number of operators mining sand in the Illovo River. We believe that not all of the operators have permits. Their combined activities present the following problems:
- The volume of heavy duty truck traffic on the roads has increased. In addition to this, some trucks are speeding. All these factors are endangering the community.
- Of particular concern are the trucks operating on main road during the night from 18h00 to 04h00 on certain days of the week. Many of these trucks are registered in Mpumalanga. We believe it is illegal to operate after 17h00. There can be 30 to 60 trucks per night which disturbs the residents at home with excessive noise.
- The narrow gauge metal bridge across the Illovo River is being destroyed.
- Equipment is often abandoned in the river with potential of pollution
- The areas being mined are NOT being rehabilitated.
- Miners are making their own roads in ecologically sensitive areas. Where are the Environmental Impact assessments?
- The river is being ruined with no control or oversight by authorities.
- There are long term adverse effects on the flora and fauna in the area
We appeal to the authorities to enforce the law: Department of Mineral Resources, eThekwini City Manager, Metro Police, Isipingo
Updates
August 7, 2016
I have been busy reaching out to the local offices to confirm who is responsible for oversight on these mining sites. The truth is that I am just a person who loves this river and I truly never imagined so many of you would step up to help me protect it.
August 7, 2016
I am truly overwhelmed by the momentum behind this because it was never my intention to lead anything this large. This movement belongs entirely to the residents who refuse to let our river be destroyed. Everything happening right now is because you decided that our home deserves better.
41 Comments
This has gone too far and too long without any law enforcement. Those who have accepted responsibility must stand accountable. The bridge was NOT built to accomodate the loads that are stressing the structure. The structure is also corroding from the wet sand splashed on the steelwork from the trucks that have caused the road top surface to srumble and fill with mud.
I stay in the complex going down the road and the trucks have definitely increased. Speeding as they come down especially on the first corner at the top. They overtake and don't give a dam. Wonder if all their licences are valid.
The mining not only impacts on the river and surroundings, the roads are impacted by the heavy trucks and falling sand that accumulates. The sand is never cleaned up and eventually finds its way into peoples homes and vehicles when the wind starts up. This has to be stopped. Signed
Sand used as a commodity taken out of our pristine ecology will ultimately ruin any possible future restoration of a very sensitive environment for crucial habitats, fauna and flora. Taken freely means that at some point they have to pay for restoration. Hold them to account.
I agree to complaints I had close call with a truck overtaking another up hill and I had actually had to stop my car to avoid a collision while I had traffic behind me
Not acceptable must stop immediately.
Illegal activities need to be stopped.
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Lower Illovo residents note with concern that there are a number of operators mining sand in the Illovo River. We believe that not all of the operators have permits. Their combined activities present the following problems:
- The volume of heavy duty truck traffic on the roads has increased. In addition to this, some trucks are speeding. All these factors are endangering the community.
- Of particular concern are the trucks operating on main road during the night from 18h00 to 04h00 on certain days of the week. Many of these trucks are registered in Mpumalanga. We believe it is illegal to operate after 17h00. There can be 30 to 60 trucks per night which disturbs the residents at home with excessive noise.
- The narrow gauge metal bridge across the Illovo River is being destroyed.
- Equipment is often abandoned in the river with potential of pollution
- The areas being mined are NOT being rehabilitated.
- Miners are making their own roads in ecologically sensitive areas. Where are the Environmental Impact assessments?
- The river is being ruined with no control or oversight by authorities.
- There are long term adverse effects on the flora and fauna in the area
We appeal to the authorities to enforce the law: Department of Mineral Resources, eThekwini City Manager, Metro Police, Isipingo
Updates
August 7, 2016
I have been busy reaching out to the local offices to confirm who is responsible for oversight on these mining sites. The truth is that I am just a person who loves this river and I truly never imagined so many of you would step up to help me protect it.
August 7, 2016
I am truly overwhelmed by the momentum behind this because it was never my intention to lead anything this large. This movement belongs entirely to the residents who refuse to let our river be destroyed. Everything happening right now is because you decided that our home deserves better.
41 Comments
The activities of sand mining both legal and illegal has causes a major eco disaster in the area, silted up the estuary and causes the loss of many fish species which used to breed and hatch there.
This has gone too far and too long without any law enforcement. Those who have accepted responsibility must stand accountable. The bridge was NOT built to accomodate the loads that are stressing the structure. The structure is also corroding from the wet sand splashed on the steelwork from the trucks that have caused the road top surface to srumble and fill with mud.
I stay in the complex going down the road and the trucks have definitely increased. Speeding as they come down especially on the first corner at the top. They overtake and don't give a dam. Wonder if all their licences are valid.
The mining not only impacts on the river and surroundings, the roads are impacted by the heavy trucks and falling sand that accumulates. The sand is never cleaned up and eventually finds its way into peoples homes and vehicles when the wind starts up. This has to be stopped. Signed
Sand used as a commodity taken out of our pristine ecology will ultimately ruin any possible future restoration of a very sensitive environment for crucial habitats, fauna and flora. Taken freely means that at some point they have to pay for restoration. Hold them to account.
I agree to complaints I had close call with a truck overtaking another up hill and I had actually had to stop my car to avoid a collision while I had traffic behind me
Not acceptable must stop immediately.
Illegal activities need to be stopped.
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The activities of sand mining both legal and illegal has causes a major eco disaster in the area, silted up the estuary and causes the loss of many fish species which used to breed and hatch there.