AIR POLLUTION

Air Pollution from Umkhumbaan Road (Chesterville) Affecting Mount Vernon and Greater Queensburgh

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Residents across Mount Vernon and the greater Queensburgh area have been reporting an ongoing, strong, and often “chemical-like” odour and smoke that is originating from the Umkhumbaan/Chesterville area. Multiple reports have linked the source to an illegal dumping / illegal landfill-type site on Umkhumbaan Road, in the vicinity behind Westville Prison, where waste has been smouldering and burning. (IOL)

This is not a “local nuisance” limited to one suburb — it is a cross-community health and safety issue impacting families well beyond the source area. (The Citizen)

What do we know about the source?

• Illegal dumping / illegal landfill site: Reports describe an illegal site behind Westville Prison (Chesterville area) with mixed waste and smouldering refuse. (IOL)
• Burning waste (including underground fires): The situation has worsened by fires burning deep underground, which makes extinguishing difficult and often requires excavation and coordinated fire response. (ECR)

Health impacts that residents are reporting: Residents have described symptoms consistent with exposure to heavy smoke and irritants, including:

• Coughing, breathing difficulties, chest discomfort
• Burning eyes/throat/nose, headaches, nausea
• Asthma flare-ups, especially in children and vulnerable residents (IOL)

What has been happening on the response side? Recent updates indicate municipal involvement, including:

• Site inspections and escalation across relevant city departments (ECR)
• Barricading / restricting access to prevent further dumping (as reported by the municipality and local leadership) (IOL)
• Active firefighting and excavation work to expose and extinguish smouldering areas (IOL)

eThekwini has also publicly communicated enforcement actions in the broader area (including fines for illegal dumping on Umkumbaan Road), reinforcing that illegal dumping is a known, ongoing challenge. (Facebook)

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Why this is a serious, evidence-backed concern

A 2025 Durban-based study on communities living near a landfill found 72% of respondents rated air quality as poor or very poor, with common coping behaviours like shutting windows and limiting outdoor activities. (PubMed)
This aligns closely with what affected households in our area are describing now: people changing their daily behaviour to avoid breathing the air.

Having corresponded with the Municipality and the local Councillors over the past three months regarding this matter, there has been very little effective action to stop the illegal burning. In fact, many of the complaints we have received indicate that conditions have worsened at night, with the smoke and odour becoming more frequent and more intense.

While eThekwini continues to deliberate internally on which department is responsible for the enforcement of its own bylaws, the reality for ordinary residents is that the problem remains unresolved and unaddressed. Communities continue to endure the health impacts, disrupted daily life, and ongoing uncertainty — with no clear, accountable action plan or visible enforcement to prevent this from happening again.

What have we done So far?

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Initially, we believed this pollution was isolated to Mount Vernon. However, through ongoing conversations and community dialogue, it has become clear that the impact is far more widespread and not limited to Ward 65. We are now receiving consistent complaints from Westville as well as Ward 63, confirming that this is a broader, area-wide public health concern.

On multiple occasions, we have contacted and corresponded with eThekwini’s Environmental Administration Department. Despite the urgency of this matter, hundreds of emails and reports have been submitted, yet there has been no meaningful response, feedback, or action plan communicated to affected residents.

In desperation, and after no response was forthcoming from the eThekwini Mayor, Cllr Cyril Xaba, and the Office of the Acting Municipal Manager, Mr Musa Mbhele, we escalated the matter to the newly appointed Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), Mr W.A.S. Aucamp MP, to request urgent intervention and enforcement support.

Due to the lack of feedback since July 2025, we also lodged a formal complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). The SAHRC has acknowledged receipt of our complaint, and we have been informed that the matter is currently under investigation (15/12/2025).

Our response to the SAHRC in terms of Chapter 2, Act 108 of 1996, incorporating our understanding of the Bill of Rights.

We have collated more than 150 complaints submitted to us via email from residents across multiple areas, detailing their first-hand experiences of the ongoing pollution and its effects on daily life and health.

A formal dossier has been compiled from these reports and has been submitted to the relevant stakeholders, including eThekwini’s Environmental Division, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), Mr W.A.S. Aucamp MP, the eThekwini Mayor, Cllr Cyril Xaba, and the Acting Municipal Manager, Mr Musa Mbhele.

What can residents do right now?

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Continue to log every incident (it strengthens our escalation). When you smell smoke/chemical odours or see haze

• Date + exact time
• Your exact location (street + suburb)
• Brief description (e.g., “plastic/chemical smell”, “visible haze”, “ash fallout”)
• Any health symptoms (especially in children/elderly)
• Photos/video only if safe
• email: hello@unityincommunity.org.za

As we receive responses and any updates, we will continue to be transparent and update this page. Unity in Community will continue pushing for: source control, enforcement, a public action plan with timelines, and transparent updates — because clean air is not optional. Thank you to Independent Media for shedding light on our Plight.

At the time of Publishing, no responses were received from News24, Caxton Media, ENCA, and SABC News. We also want to acknowledge Mr Bongani Mthembu and the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance for guidance and assistance.

We welcome any civic organisations that are already fighting this cause and will work with all parties to get the intended outcome based on a common purpose. Please contact us at hello@unityincommunity.org.za if you would like to share information, collaborate, or respond. On behalf of the 400+ residents we represent, we want a cleaner, better Community for all.