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For years, residents in the mining community of Nyakallong in Allanridge in the Free State have been living with the overflow of polluted water from the Voelpan Dam, which is used to store waste from the nearby Harmony Target 1 mine. This has made living conditions hazardous.
According to a 2023 community monitoring report, the rising dam levels have submerged the power station, flooded streets and caused nearby houses to collapse. The report, which was supported by the Benchmarks Foundation, states the water spilling into people’s houses is contaminated with toxic substances. Tests done on water collected by the community monitoring team and the Benchmarks Foundation showed high concentrations of arsenic, lead, copper, silicon and uranium. Exposure to these substances poses a myriad of health risks, including complications in pregnancy, infant mortality, and heart failure.
Hazardous living conditions
Some families, including Keeditse Maseng’s, live as close as five metres from the dam. “This water has affected us in so many ways. I have constant headaches because of the terrible smell from the dam. We’re always in and out of hospital because we’re struggling to breathe, we have shortness of breath. I have asthma, and my father has asthma,” Maseng tells Health-e News.
The water has seeped into nearby homes, making life uncomfortable.
“We live with this water in our houses. If you look under the carpets, there’s a puddle of water. This has ruined our furniture. We often get colds because we use our blankets to try to block the water from flowing into the house.”
Maseng says parents have to keep a constant eye on their children, who sometimes play too close to the dam. Many residents experience skin irritation as well.
Lack of transparency
Khanyisile Matsaba, a support monitor at the Benchmarks Foundation monitoring school, accuses the mining company of passing the buck.
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“In conversations we have had with them [Harmanoy Gold] they referred us to the government, saying they have been in conversation with the government, especially our Matjhabeng Municipality and Department of the Minerals Resources and Energy. But we don’t really get the transparency of their meetings. I believe they don’t want to meet with the community. That’s why the community feels Harmony Gold Mine wants to control the narrative around this serious issue of Voelpan.”
Lack of urgency
Around 77 families were meant to be moved to “more habitable and health-friendly sites”. But a meeting on this matter last month showed that very little progress has been made in relocating people.
“We cannot continue to move at a snail’s pace while our people continue to live in health-hazardous environments and life-threatening structures,” says Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae in a statement. “We are talking about the lives of people, not mere statistics. We must move with speed. We have made a commitment to our people, and it will be fulfilled. People must occupy their houses this year.” – Health-e News
