Ernestville residents choked by dust as road dispute drags on

IMAGINE having to live with a constant cloud of dust hovering over your premises, creeping into your home, and leaving a thick layer of dirt on your appliances. You clean today, but by tomorrow the dust is back again. For residents in Ernestville, close to the old CRC Church, this has become a daily reality.

Since 2019, when Ekapa Mining constructed a new access road leading into their mine, life for homeowners in the area has been turned upside down. The gravel road, which runs alongside a guest house and nearby homes, has become a highway for heavily loaded mining trucks. Every vehicle that passes kicks up a cloud of dust that drifts into living spaces, gardens, and businesses.

When the DFA visited the site following complaints from residents, the problem was immediately clear. Each time a truck exited the mine gates, thick clouds of dust rose into the air before settling across the neighbourhood.

Freddie Nel, who has lived in Ernestville since 1994, explained that the issue only began when the mine decided to redirect its transport route.

“The mine has been here for many years, and the trucks originally used to turn left and pass the CRC church. Later, they created another road at the back of the mine in De Beers. For many years, we had no problems here. But in 2019, without any consultation, they built this new road right next to the guest house and our homes. That is when the dust started and when our paved road began deteriorating,” Nel said.

Nel noted that Ekapa attempted to control the dust by sending water trucks to dampen the sand. However, once the sand dried, the dust returned. To make matters worse, the constant watering caused mud to build up on the road. “The road became uneven and bumpy. The mine would scrape away the top layer from time to time, but it never lasted,” he added.

The situation worsened in March this year when a water leak developed on a pavement near one of the houses. The leak forced both residents and mine trucks to drive through stagnant water for months. Despite numerous reports to the Sol Plaatje Municipality and reference numbers being issued, the leak was only fixed on July 16.

By then, the damage was already done. The constant pressure of heavy trucks had pushed the paving apart, leaving a large muddy hole.

“I want to point something out,” Nel said. “Residents like myself also had to drive through that water to get home, but our section of the road remained intact. The damage only occurred where the trucks were driving every day. That shows clearly what caused the problem.”

Nel said he had contacted Ekapa on multiple occasions since July, asking when they would repair the road. At first, the mine promised to respond, but eventually communication stopped altogether.

“All we want is for them to keep their promises and take responsibility. We are asking them to look at alternative ways to manage the dust, to fix the road to the condition it was in before 2019, and to help us maintain it. We are not asking for much,” Nel said.

He emphasised that residents do not want the mine to close, as it provides important jobs and contributes to the local economy. Instead, they simply want co-operation. “We want them to consider our livelihoods, our health, and the value of our properties.”

When contacted by the DFA, Ekapa Mining issued a short statement. The company said the long-running water leak had undermined the road’s stability and pointed to the municipality’s responsibility for repairs. “Fixing the road is also the responsibility of the municipality, like in any other area of town. Ekapa will continue to measure and control the dust,” the statement read.

The company also insisted that it had engaged with residents in 2019. “We held a meeting at Ubuntu Guest House on June 20, 2019, where dust, noise, and road watering were discussed, and an action plan was presented. We also agreed to reduce hauling hours at night. Until now, no dust report has come back over the limit,” the statement said.

However, for residents like Nel, going years without a follow-up is unacceptable.

The DFA also reached out to the Sol Plaatje Municipality for comment. Keobakile Musunse, from the Mayor’s Office, acknowledged that the road is heavily used by the mine. “We have, in the past, worked with them in repairing roads they use most. We will be having a discussion with Ekapa to see how best we can come on board to assist with this road,” Musunse said.

For now, though, little progress has been made. While Ekapa is pointing the finger at the municipality and not owning up to their part of the damage caused, Ernestville residents remain caught in the middle — living with dust in their homes, damaged roads at their doorsteps, and growing frustration.

What the community is asking for is simple: accountability, communication, and action. Until then, their homes will remain under a cloud of dust.