By Staff Reporter
The department of environment is studying an inspection report on the risk of a tyre milling plant on Ha Rasenkisi villagers in the Thaba-Bosiu area in Maseru district and its environs.
The report was submitted by the health department in August 2023 following an inspection on the plant.
This followed numerous complaints by villagers who claim that their health was at risk due to activities being undertaken at the plant.
The villagers allege that no environment impact assessment was done before operations started at the site.
An official from the department of environment told theReporter that they are studying the report by the ministry of health’s pollution control manager, Ntseke Makutoane.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official said they would make recommendations after studying the report.
The department is responsible for ensuring that environmental impact assessments are done before such projects are undertaken.
Makutoane has previously indicated that his office had conducted an inspection at the plant.
The villagers however, accuse the government of failing to take action against Bohloeki Enterprises (PTY) Ltd founded by one Temoho Khatleli in 2021.
They say the company continues to be a serious health risk to them due to the hazardous smoke from the plan spewing into the atmosphere.
Again, the powder stemming from the milling and slicing of the tyres spills on the ground posing an environmental damage to the vegetation.
A troubled Ha Rasenkisi villager, Mamofoso Machaba called on the government and the local chief to act to protect their lives which she believes are in danger due to the noxious smoke from the tyre plant.
She told this publication during a recent interview: “I have heard that government authorities have been alerted to the situation but no action seems to be forthcoming to protect our health. We’re worried because there is speculation doing the rounds that the owner of the plant has won a court case to continue operations.”
Khatleli’s lawyers a few months ago wrote to the acting village chief, Motlatsi Matamane, warning him to desist from interfering with the plant business.
They threatened court action against the chief if he continued efforts to demand that the plant ceases operations or relocates.
Machaba added: “We implore our chief (Matamane) to take drastic action and persuade the powers that be to act promptly to evict this man (Khatleli) from here. The smoke coming from the plant chokes us. The business is feeding him while we continue to inhale dangerous fumes.”
Chief Matamane has insisted that he will not back down on his stance that the situation needs to be remedied as his villagers are bitterly complaining about asphyxiation from the smoke and the plumes.
He said one villager approached him to complain about the smoke from the plant chimney. His subject’s house is just a few metres from the controversial tyre plant.
“He came to me claiming the smoke was so unbearable that it was difficult for him to live in his dwelling. He wanted me to help and wondered what effect the smoke could have on children. I told him that some journalists had come here to hear our pleas and that I have been threatened with a lawsuit by the plant owner’s lawyers.
“I am thinking of approaching the ministry of health. I don’t know where help will come from. We ask you journalists to help us. What can we do because the plumes are hazardous and dangerous to our lives,” Matamane pleaded.
In a two-page letter dated August 28 2023 signed by Advocate Relebohile Lesholu, MS Legal Minds chambers wrote: “With this letter we warn you that you have no legal authority to instruct Mr Khatleli to remove his business machine. We have also heard that one of the residents, Mr Rethabile Khama, has intention to interfere with the operations of the business claiming the machine is dangerous to the public. In the same vein, Khama has no legal standing to interfere with Khatleli’s business.
“With this letter we inform you that legally you have no powers to stop or evict the business as village chief and we plead with you to stop your plan together with Mr Rethabile Khama,” the lawyer warned while threatening to sue the chief.
Also suspicious of the plant’s smoke health effects is 22-year old Thesele Phalima who lives close to the milling plant. His wife is expectant.
“We can’t sleep properly at night when they burn the tyres. The odour is so bad. There is no change since we initially complained about the situation. I wonder how my wife will deliver as she is now four months pregnant. I worry about the health condition of my unborn baby,” he said.
He added: “A fellow villager last Sunday complained about the smoke, too, saying he could not sleep well at night as it was difficult for him to breathe.”
Phalima has closed down his small shop due to customers’ constant complaints about the bad smell from the plant. He used to small groceries and liquor. The shop is situated in his yard, about 100 metres from the plant.
In an attempt to stay safe and avert any health impacts, his mother once thought of selling the site and the single-room house which Phalima occupies with his family.
In a separate interview, a former employee at the plant, Lelingoana Matamane, said he started experiencing chest pains shortly after leaving work.
“I coughed out dark sputum and was forced to go to for medical examination. I was told I had tuberculosis. I had breathing difficulties; I am now on medication,” he noted.
At the time of the last visit some weeks ago, this publication saw a Toyota van loaded with old tyres being delivered to the plant site.
On the day, three men were busy chopping wood with hammers and chisels preparing to start a fire to burn the tyres. They had no personal protective equipment, a testimony that working conditions there were suspiciously inhuman.
Nearby residents disclosed that they had witnessed a big truck loaded with tyre oil containers leaving the site, apparently transporting the product to South Africa where it is sold.
When quizzed about the health risk at the site, the ministry of environment official who declined to be identified said the department was still looking into the matter.
This was in reference to the ministry of health’s inspection report submitted to the environment department by Makutoane.
Makutoane had previously told this publication that his office had conducted an inspection at the plant. He, however, declined to divulge details of their findings.
Khatleli reportedly told a public gathering before starting operations three years ago that his project was above board as an environmental impact assessment had been undertaken by the relevant government authorities.
Lesotho’s environmental legislation prohibits air pollution and sets standards for air quality and noxious smells. It prohibits effluent hazardous substances. People, according to the law, have a right to clean and healthy environment and every person has a duty to safeguard it.
