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.