An East London property owner has been accused of running an illegal sand mine near a residential area in Gonubie.Residents of Mzamomhle accuse Bathandwa Thungatha of not fencing his open pit mine saying it placed their children’s lives in danger.
However, Thungatha said he was well within his rights and was clearing the property to make way for “development”. Asked if he had a permit to mine, he replied: “This is my land.”
Residents said the indiscriminate mining had destroyed trees and vegetation, large holes were left unattended and there was no sign of rehabilitation.
Resident Makabongwe Dyalom said the mine was supposed to be fenced and secured. “It’s a concern to us and we are worried our kids will run and play there.”
A woman who wanted to be known only as Mamqwathi said sand from the mine was constantly blowing into her house. “This is not healthy. If he had a mining licence he should have known and followed the laws,” said Mamqwathi.
A Daily Dispatch team visited the area yesterday and found several hectares of sand had been removed leaving massive holes in the ground.
Various trees had been uprooted and an excavator was seen working through a small pine tree plantation. Nearby, a few brand new RDP houses stood vacant.
Workers at the site said the land belonged to Thungatha, who confirmed this when contacted.
“This is my land and I am developing it. I had to clear the sand dunes and make the ground level before I can build houses. People are starting to accuse me of illegally operating here, they are wrong,” said Thungatha adding he was using the excavators to clear the land for development.
The Department of Mineral Resource’s Port Elizabeth office was contacted for a comment about permits required for sand mining but referred the Dispatch to the national office. Attempts to obtain a comment were unsuccessful. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
Developer accused of running an illegal mine
Residents of Mzamomhle accuse Bathandwa Thungatha of not fencing his open pit mine saying it placed their children’s lives in danger.
However, Thungatha said he was well within his rights and was clearing the property to make way for “development”. Asked if he had a permit to mine, he replied: “This is my land.”
Residents said the indiscriminate mining had destroyed trees and vegetation, large holes were left unattended and there was no sign of rehabilitation.
Resident Makabongwe Dyalom said the mine was supposed to be fenced and secured. “It’s a concern to us and we are worried our kids will run and play there.”
A woman who wanted to be known only as Mamqwathi said sand from the mine was constantly blowing into her house. “This is not healthy. If he had a mining licence he should have known and followed the laws,” said Mamqwathi.
A Daily Dispatch team visited the area yesterday and found several hectares of sand had been removed leaving massive holes in the ground.
Various trees had been uprooted and an excavator was seen working through a small pine tree plantation. Nearby, a few brand new RDP houses stood vacant.
Workers at the site said the land belonged to Thungatha, who confirmed this when contacted.
“This is my land and I am developing it. I had to clear the sand dunes and make the ground level before I can build houses. People are starting to accuse me of illegally operating here, they are wrong,” said Thungatha adding he was using the excavators to clear the land for development.
The Department of Mineral Resource’s Port Elizabeth office was contacted for a comment about permits required for sand mining but referred the Dispatch to the national office. Attempts to obtain a comment were unsuccessful. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos