{"id":297165,"date":"2026-04-02T08:59:48","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T06:59:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/?p=297165"},"modified":"2026-04-02T09:04:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T07:04:12","slug":"nyakallong-health-threat-persists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/nyakallong-health-threat-persists\/","title":{"rendered":"Encroaching toxic water forces a community from their homes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Vo\u00eblpan<\/a>, also known as Sheteng by the Nyakallong community because of its unbearable stench, has become an environmental disaster that has plagued the area for decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Community activist Astone Chaole, of Mining Affected Communities United in Action (Macua), has compiled a disaster report. He has been fighting for residents’ rights since early 2021 and documented how the crisis reached new heights when toxic water began flooding homes and forcing families to flee. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After heavy rains <\/a>in late 2021 and early 2022, water quality examination was done by David van Wyk and the Bench Marks Foundation. They confirmed that airborne toxins and the dam’s stench were causing respiratory problems including asthma and other lung illnesses through the inhalation of poisonous fumes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vo\u00eblpan is a long-time problem of the Nyakallong community, but concerns reached new heights early in 2021 when the water began entering the people’s yards and came into their homes. PHOTO: Marti Will<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

“Water began entering people’s yards and houses. As the problem worsened, it closed the R30 provincial road and covered pump stations, causing more sewage spillages. It submerged houses<\/a> and forced residents from their homes. Those who left had to be accommodated by relatives,” said Chaole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Rioolwater oorstroom huise langs Vo\u00eblpan in Nyakallong by Allanridge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The health impact has been devastating, particularly for elderly residents who comprise most of Riverside’s population. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Within six months, with people living with this toxic water in their houses, four elderly people died from respiratory illnesses and arthritis. Those who are not dead are slowly dying. Children cannot breathe at night and are constantly visiting the clinic,” Chaole explained.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DA Councillor Jessica Nel said local and provincial government had failed Nyakallong. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It is disappointing that Harmony Gold Mine<\/a> has not fulfilled its social responsibility towards the community but has rather passed responsibility to the Matjhabeng Local Municipality,” she stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Early in 2021 already the water also covered the pump stations and caused more sewage spillages within the community. PHOTO: Marti Will<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Failed projects reveal the community has become a hub for corrupt tenders. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A contractor was paid over R7 million to build a stormwater system, but never started work. Residents in upper Nyakallong have not had running water for over 15 years due to dilapidated infrastructure, relying instead on water tankers three times weekly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Everywhere sewage water is accumulating in large masses, making it dangerous and unhealthy.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Early in 2021 the water began entering the people’s yards and came into their homes. PHOTO: Marti Will<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

“If empty promises and tender corruption <\/a>are not enough, residents have had to endure environmental dangers posed by toxic mine waste and sewerage leakages into Vo\u00eblpan,” Nel said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nel experienced the toxic effects firsthand during a recent investigation, suffering chest tightening, airway irritation, and coughing after exposure near the dam. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Residents still without promised healthcare facility more than two decades after initial plans<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“One cannot begin to imagine the health struggles residents experience daily. Vulnerable children with fragile immune systems are worst affected as they play in streets exposed to such contamination,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite awareness campaigns, media involvement, and dialogue with the mine and municipality, no successful solutions have emerged to alleviate the poor living conditions. Nel has escalated the crisis through multiple channels. She has written to Matjhabeng’s municipal manager and mayor and is corresponding with David McKay, DA Human Settlement spokesperson, on housing project failures.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Further enquiries will be sent to Pemmy Majodina, minister of Water and Sanitation, for urgent response and intervention,” Nel said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Every house is furnished with a hand dug trench where the sewerage flows from the house into the street and then into the dam. PHOTO: Jessica Nel<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Vo\u00eblpan area, plagued by toxic waste and sewage, has become an environmental disaster for the Nyakallong community. Activist Astone Chaole’s report highlights severe health issues, especially among elderly residents. Despite local government failure and corruption in infrastructure projects, no effective solutions have emerged, leaving families in distressing 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