By Montsho Matlala
Polokwane: Following a collision between a truckcaring chemicals and a light delivery vehicle early this week on the road between Polokwane and Dendron, some residents near the crash site are worried about possible harm to their health andenvironment due to chemical spillage from the lorry.
The truck was carrying hydrochloric acid from Zimbabwe to Cape Town when it collided with a light motor vehicle on the R521 road near Mario and Ramongwana residential areas on 28 July, said Limpopo transport and community safety department, spokesperson Tidimalo Chuene.
Though there were no injuries in the collision exceptfor the truck driver who was taken to hospital for observation after possible exposure to chemicals, residents along the road point to possible hazards the hydrochloric acid might be posing to their lives and environment.
Phuti Maribana, a resident of Ramongwana said, “ There is water, grass and trees as well as our livestock together with people here. Chemical residues will remain here for years despite the cleaning efforts by authorities. I am afraid.”
Subsistence farmer Kgabo Manamela told Timeless News, “The veld here is communal grazing site for our cattle, goats, donkeys and other livestock. These animals and people drink water from streams and wells are possibly already at contaminated andpolluted. Think of rain water carrying chemical residues further to other places overtime. And crops that we plant in these fields will be affected too.”
Contacted for comment the Polokwane Municipality said coordinated efforts were underway in collaboration with key stakeholders to safeguard public health, protect the environment and restore the affected area.
“As an immediate intervention, soil barriers have been strategically placed to prevent the potential spread of hazardous materials into water streams and nearby agricultural land,” Selala explained.
The truck was removed from the crash site and the road reopened on Thursday (30 July), four days after it was closed to traffic, provincial transport and safety department said.
“The tuck stayed there for longer time since the owner could not be found because he was in Zimbabwe. And after being identified he didn’t have money to ensure the area was safe and that the vehicle was salvaged,” Chuene added.
