Disgruntled farmers who have lived on their Fort Jackson farms for decades are up in arms over the dust pollution and danger to schoolchildren caused by speeding trucks carrying crushed stone from the Rieger Group’s quarry.
The group started crushing stone at the quarry two months ago, causing an outcry. Farmers complain the trucks cause dust pollution and want the company to wet the road.
Rieger Group owner Garry Rieger of Gonubie confirmed that 30 to 40 trucks were transporting crushed stone but claimed he could not wet the road because he did not own it. It belonged to the province.
He insisted his trucks were allowed to use the road.
“That road is a provincial road, a gravel road, and I’m not allowed by law to do anything about that. If they have got a complaint they must go to the roads department and ask them to tar it,” said Rieger.
Rieger said he would cooperate and meet the farmers to bash out a solution.
Farmer Quentin Weiss, who has lived in the area for 42 years, said it was the first time he had had trouble with the quarry.
“I don’t have a problem with the quarry, but the dust that comes with this project is making the whole place unbearable to live in.
“They have failed to water the roads and, according to environmental rules, they are supposed to water the roads to avoid this pollution.”
Weiss said his vegetable garden was covered with dust.
“Trucks going at high speed have knocked over my gates, because the trucks travel through my farm for three kilometres.
“They have also run over my fence. When I reported the incidents they just said they would fix the damage but never did,” said Weiss.
When Saturday Dispatch visited the area on Thursday residents complained of the truckers’ reckless driving.
Neighbouring farmers Vukani Mati and Vuyisile Moyi said they worried about schoolchildren being crushed by the speeding trucks.
“The situation has been like this for months. The dust is unbearable.
“Our children are at risk as they walk to and from school between these speeding trucks. It’s an accident waiting to happen,” said Mati.
Rieger said: “There is only one person who complains. We have fixed the fences and put new fences up. If (more) fences were damaged, I will fix them. It is no problem.”
Rieger also wanted to know why residents had not organised a meeting with him.
“We can address the reckless driving and there could be no reckless driving. The drivers could get warnings that I agree with 100%.
“There is only one way to resolve a situation which is if we sit around the table and come up with a solution. Anything can be solved. I will cooperate.” — mamelag@dispatch.co.za
Farmers irate over quarry dust
The group started crushing stone at the quarry two months ago, causing an outcry. Farmers complain the trucks cause dust pollution and want the company to wet the road.
Rieger Group owner Garry Rieger of Gonubie confirmed that 30 to 40 trucks were transporting crushed stone but claimed he could not wet the road because he did not own it. It belonged to the province.
He insisted his trucks were allowed to use the road.
“That road is a provincial road, a gravel road, and I’m not allowed by law to do anything about that. If they have got a complaint they must go to the roads department and ask them to tar it,” said Rieger.
Rieger said he would cooperate and meet the farmers to bash out a solution.
Farmer Quentin Weiss, who has lived in the area for 42 years, said it was the first time he had had trouble with the quarry.
“I don’t have a problem with the quarry, but the dust that comes with this project is making the whole place unbearable to live in.
“They have failed to water the roads and, according to environmental rules, they are supposed to water the roads to avoid this pollution.”
Weiss said his vegetable garden was covered with dust.
“Trucks going at high speed have knocked over my gates, because the trucks travel through my farm for three kilometres.
“They have also run over my fence. When I reported the incidents they just said they would fix the damage but never did,” said Weiss.
When Saturday Dispatch visited the area on Thursday residents complained of the truckers’ reckless driving.
Neighbouring farmers Vukani Mati and Vuyisile Moyi said they worried about schoolchildren being crushed by the speeding trucks.
“The situation has been like this for months. The dust is unbearable.
“Our children are at risk as they walk to and from school between these speeding trucks. It’s an accident waiting to happen,” said Mati.
Rieger said: “There is only one person who complains. We have fixed the fences and put new fences up. If (more) fences were damaged, I will fix them. It is no problem.”
Rieger also wanted to know why residents had not organised a meeting with him.
“We can address the reckless driving and there could be no reckless driving. The drivers could get warnings that I agree with 100%.
“There is only one way to resolve a situation which is if we sit around the table and come up with a solution. Anything can be solved. I will cooperate.” — mamelag@dispatch.co.za
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