AS work commenced on Thursday with a massive clean-up of Medway Road, the coal truck issue – like the dust – remains far from settled.

FACING escalating anger from Richards Bay residents, Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) finally succumbed on Tuesday, banning coal-laden trucks from entering or exiting the Port of Richards Bay’s east gate via Medway Road.

Mtunzini residents lament persistent red dust emissions from Fairbreeze mine

Mtunzini residents lament persistent red dust emissions from Fairbreeze mine

Mtunzini residents lament persistent red dust emissions from Fairbreeze mine

When people invoke the law to challenge procedural shortcuts, inadequate onsultations or environmentally harmful decisions, they are not obstructing development. They are exercising their constitutional rights and demanding that development be lawful, inclusive and just.

Residents kick up a stink as city’s failing infrastructure sees raw sewage spilling over into environment

RICHARDS Bay residents are fighting a losing battle against pervasive coal dust from
the port’s storage terminal, forcing them to clean their homes multiple times daily
while suffering from respiratory issues.

Our recent front page article (Port pollution
problem, 15 September 2025) referred to the Transnet Integrated Report stating that dust
pollution at the Port of Richards Bay had reached serious levels.

TRANSNET is heading for trouble over port dust pollution. It admits it faces ‘significant
operational, legal and reputational risks’ related to air quality management, particularly in highimpact areas such as Richards Bay.