Durban's air pollution ... its impact on asthma sufferers in Merebank

On World Asthma Day 2025 (May 6), residents of Merebank shared their harrowing experiences with chronic asthma, exacerbated by air pollution from the nearby Sapref refinery, and they highlighted the urgent need for environmental accountability

- MONISHKA GOVENDER [e-mail]

COMMUNITIES living close to the Sap-ref refinery in Durban South Basin, know the struggles of surviving every day.

The air pollution from the refinery over the years has taken its toll on their health and well-being.

Percy Chetty, from Beverly Gardens flats in Merebank, said many elderly and young residents, including his wife, Yogaville Chetty, 63, suffered from asthma, which at times left them debilitated.

“The people in our community struggle with the air pollution, no matter their ages. My wife suffers a lot. We keep hoping our circumstances change but it never does. In the meantime, my wife’s health continues to deteriorate,” said Chetty.

Selvie Naicker, 70, said she had been struggling with asthma since she moved into the area.

“I was not born with asthma. I developed it after moving here 17 years ago. Each year it gets worse. At times I cannot breathe and the stench in the air makes it worse.

“My medication, like my asthma pump, helps at times. It is hard living under these conditions.

“Sometimes the refinery turns on its machines at night and then we get the smell while we are sleeping. I struggle to breathe and get asthma attacks at night,” said Naicker.

Anjalie Govender, 72, said the pollution caused her grandson to be born with asthma.

“My grandson, who is 24 now, still struggles with his asthma which leaves him breathless due to the pollution. The fumes keep him awake at night. When he was younger, he would roll on the floor because he was not able to breathe. It was and still is so sad to watch him suffer. There is nothing much we can do to help him when he has these attacks,” she said.

Govender said that moving out of the area would help but they did not have the funds to do so.