Pollution nightmare: Clare Estate community battles illegal dumping at historic quarry

RESIDENTS of Clare Estate are fighting against illegal dumping at the Sydenham Quarry, which has transformed from a natural haven to a pollution hazard.

With health issues rising and property values plummeting, the community demands immediate intervention from authorities who have so far failed to act.

They are calling on the Department of Health and the city to put a stop to illegal dumping.

The area, which was once a mining area for blue stones, had become a serene piece of nature attracting an array of birds and fish life after the mine closed in the 1970s.

A source, who did not want to be named, said the quarry belonged to four different individuals. He alleged one of the owners was illegally operating a dump at the quarry. 

“There is an entry point which is heavily guarded and has boom gates. The guards do not allow you to enter the property. But we have watched many trucks being allowed access. Some of the trucks are marked company vehicles, and they dump rubble, building rubble, household dirt, polystyrene, chemicals, and foam.

“Trucks are driving in and out of the area and causing traffic congestion, pollution, damage to the roads, and safety risks to road users and pedestrians. We have tried protesting, and calling on authorities to put an end to the illegal dumping, but nothing has been done. The owner continues to operate without fear, as if he is running a legitimate business,” the source said. 

At a meeting with the Clare Estate Action Committee, Clare Estate Ratepayers Association, and concerned residents last week, community leaders claimed their concerns had fallen on deaf ears for over a year.

Kavir Boodoo, chairperson of the Clare Estate Ratepayers Association, said they had been knocking on the doors of the relevant authorities to put an end to the illegal dumping, and they refused to accept “another dumping ground”.

“The municipality had failed to act. Various departments had done site inspections and failed to halt the illegal dumping into the quarry. 

“There are health risks and people are getting sick from the stench and the dust. Our property  values are also dropping due to this. Should the municipality permit these activities, a rates rebate must be afforded to residents in proportion to their de-valued properties,” he said.

Contravening bylaws

Shirley Pillay, 72, said she had been living in the area for 32 years. She said recently, she developed chest infections due to the stench and the dust, which required medical intervention three times.

“We noticed the dumping last year, and the smell that comes with it affects us. The quarry has a rotten smell, and it attracts flies. There is always dust everywhere. We have to live with closed doors and windows despite it being summer. I got sick four months ago when the quarry was being filled with rubble and dirt. 

“The doctor said it was a chest infection, but he could not directly link the infection to the pollution, as that would require further tests at my own cost. I went to the doctor thrice, and it cost me R500 each time,” she added.

Pillay said she was unable to afford further tests, but she hoped he the authorities shut down the illegal dumping site.

“I do not have money for further tests. The pollution has also affected our pets. Their food and water bowls become filled with dust. The wind carries the dust from the quarry into our homes. We have to bring the dogs inside. Clothes on the line also become dusty, and we have to either dry it inside or rewash it,” Pillay added.

Aroon Edward, 82, founder of the Serving With Love Foundation and chairperson of the Kampara Senior Citizens Club, said they could not cope with the pollution, which affected the elderly who met at the club every week.

The club hosts their meetings and gatherings at the Kampara Conference Centre, which overlooks the quarry.

“We have 168 members, most of whom are over 70 years old, and we cannot open the doors or windows during our meetings. When we get to the centre, we have to spray the room with disinfectant and wipe the  tables before we start. The fly infestation is terrible. We cannot breathe properly due to the stench, and we cannot have our meals due to the flies.

“We are living in unhygienic conditions and it is only a matter of time before our health deteriorates due to this. We appeal for the authorities to hear our plight and end the dumping. Those responsible should be ordered to clean up the quarry and restore it to its former glory.

“In the 1980s, we enjoyed the view of the birdlife, and we would watch in amazement as the fish jumped out of the water. The quarry was beautiful. Now, it is an eyesore,” Edward said.

Nirosh Naidoo, 60, said he had been living in the area for 56 years. He said the dumping started at the edges of the quarry about 20 years ago, but in the last two years, they were shocked when the dumping became “brazen”.

“In 1974, it was proposed the area be rezoned from a residential area to a light industrial area. Little did we know that it would become a dumping ground. When it was rezoned, the area was to be free of noise nuisance or pollution. The bylaws are being contravened. There are still water ducks and birds which sit among the rubble, and I am sure that marine life is being destroyed.

“The dumpsite entrance is near a church and a school. Are authorities going to wait until a child or someone is knocked and dies, before they act? This must end now,” Naidoo appealed.

Another resident, Meenu Hurdeen, 55, said they were frustrated about the situation.

He said they were tired of living in an area where trucks were passing by all day, causing obstructions to the road and endangering residents.

“We have frequent tyre punctures because of the sharp objects that fall from the trucks. People have been robbed when they stop to change their tyres.

“We are also concerned about our properties becoming unstable due to the dumping at the quarry. When the water levels rise due to the dumping, it could cause a landslide,” he said.

Deresh Doodnath said he was a third generation resident living in Clare Estate for 56 years.

He said they called on the authorities to investigate the owner of the land, who was charging people money to dispose of dirt in an illegal manner.

“This insults me. They are breaking the law and it is done along a national freeway. This is a slap in the face of all authorities, as it is happening in front of their eyes. We are a close-knit community. There are many reports of people suffering from health issues since the dumping has gotten worse. We will not stop calling for this dumping ground to be shut down,” Doodnath said.

Pioneer resident, Reggie Authar, 77, who has lived in Clare Estate all his life, said he was struggling to sell his property due to the state of the quarry.

“Our property values have dropped. My house, which had three houses on one property, is worth R15 million, but I cannot even sell it for R2 million.

“This used to be one of the best areas, with the beauty of the quarry, where we would watch  the  birds and the fish. Now, it has turned into a dump,” he added.

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