Residents of the RDP houses that showed cracks in eMbalenhle will be relocated

Sasol is implementing projects to stabilise the soil around RDP houses with cracks at Ext 22, eMbalenhle that were reported last year.

Mr Nhlakanipho Zuma, executive mayor of the Govan Mbeki Municipality said at a media briefing in Secunda on Monday, September 20, this intervention is being done to prevent further cracks in the future.

He also said land in certain areas of the same extension has been illegally occupied.

On 25 April 2020,Sasol said in a statement that they have been informed by members of the eMbalenhle community of forming of cracks in the ground and structures near Extension 22. After undertaking an investigation, the company has established that the surface structures were built on an area where Sasol completed underground coal mining operations.

This area is no longer operational and mining activity was completed before these structures were built.

The mining experts who conducted the investigation are compiling the necessary reports which will provide clarity on the exact cause of the cracks forming and to establish the role that mining activities played.

"It must be noted that the construction of buildings on land where underground mining took place is strictly regulated. Although building plans of structures to be erected on such land must be approved by the local municipality, the Mine Health and Safety Act prescribes additional processes and approvals that local authorities should follow.

"We are cooperating with the Govan Mbeki Municipality to establish the nature of the structures and their foundations, and whether the applicable building regulations and title deed restrictions dealing with the construction of these structures on undermined land were followed.

"Furthermore, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy has also been notified.

"Notwithstanding this regrettable incident and inconvenience to some residents, Sasol Mining will continue to take reasonable measures to establish the cause of the incident and advise the local municipality on appropriate steps to take to address this matter.

"We will keep all stakeholders updated as appropriate as this process unfolds."

The mayor explained that those who were legally allocated will be relocated to another place because they must not remain in unsafe place.

Mr Zuma also said the municipality is building a state of the art waste water treatment plant at Charl Cilliers which is about to be completed, with only mechanical and electrical finishes outstanding.

The installation of a sewerage network still needs to be done.

"That waste water treatment plant will connect all Charl Cilliers residents, not only those in RDP houses.

"GMM and Sasol are currently installing a bulk water pipe line from the reservoir at Ext 15, eMbalenhle, to Charl Cilliers.

"Once that is completed, the infrastructure layout will be completed."

Mr Zuma said the municipality has budgeted R10 million for this financial year for this project. He said everyone will then be connected to the water works treatment plant in Charl Cilliers.