2 years later, Keetmans is still choking in dust

A KEETMANSHOOP resident is considering legal action against the Keetmanshoop Town Council and the owner of the Super Sand stone-crushing plant.

Annalie Resandt says numerous complains about the dust and noise pollution from the plant have fallen on deaf ears. ‘I have compromised my family’s health for six years. Enough is enough,’ Resandt told The Namibian. ‘CAPTIVE’Resandt said her children suffer from sore eyes, breathing problems and constantly runny noses because of the dust covering every surface at their home.’We’re kept captive in our own house, because we have to keep the doors and windows tightly shut most of the time,’ she said. Keetmanshoop Urban Constituency Councillor Hilma Nikanor, whose house is also affected by the dust pollution, declined to comment.In June 2007, the Keetmanshoop Town Council decided to enter into negotiations on relocating the crushing plant, but to date nothing has come of it. The decision stemmed from recommendations by Swakopmund-based health and safety environmental consultancy Enviro Solutions to relocate either the affected houses or the crushing plant on the basis of unacceptable nuisance impacts alone.The crushing plant’s owner, Gerrit van der Merwe, on Wednesday claimed that he had bought the business when the Keetmanshoop Municipality gave him the go-ahead to continue with operations.Regarding the negotiations about relocation, Van der Merwe said he would agree to move on condition that he be provided with a new plot connected to electricity and water grids. DEAFENINGSILENCEThe Mayor of Keetmanshoop, Basil Brown, on Monday paid a visit to Resandt’s house to see the dust pollution for himself. But when The Namibian asked him to comment on the spot, Brown shrugged his shoulders and referred questions to the Town Council, despite having attended a council meeting where the relocation of the plant had been agreed on.He then drove off to go and pick up the council’s CEO, Paul Vleermuis, at his home for him to inspect the dust pollution. For his part, Vleermuis said he was not aware of any negotiations on relocating the plant, as he had been with the Council only for the past nine months. However, he promised to look into the matter.luqman@namibian.com.na