Karibib marble industry under scrutiny over alleged asbestos dumping

A report circulating publicly alleges that marble mining and processing waste has been illegally dumped across Karibib and that some of the dust contains asbestos fibres posing potential long-term health risks to residents.

Compiled by an independent US-based researcher, the report claims dumping has occurred “since prior to January 2026” and describes it as a “continual process” by Best Cheer Stone Group, one of the town’s marble processors. It further alleges that the Karibib Town Council cooperated in distributing the waste to residents as a landscaping product.

Best Cheer Stone Group has denied the allegations.

A manager at the company, who requested anonymity, rejected claims of unlawful operations and described the issue as commercially motivated.

“If this were true, the government would not have allowed us to continue with all our operations,” the manager said. “Everything is in place, everything has been done, and we operate according to the book and according to what the government allows us to do.”

On health concerns, the manager said employees undergo annual entry and exit medical examinations in line with government standards.

The manager claimed that the allegations amount to rivalry between companies.

The report alleges the waste has caused “significant permanent health problems, including silicosis” and claims testing conducted in June 2024 identified tremolite and amosite asbestos fibres in samples allegedly taken from material exiting the processing facility.

It further alleges dumping on public land, roads and near informal housing, as well as downstream exposure through air and water, and claims the dumping is continuing daily.

Allegations disputed

The allegations have fuelled debate, with residents and industry figures questioning both the health risks and the motives behind the report.

Some public responses argue that crushed marble is widely used in gardens and driveways, while others caution that risks increase significantly during cutting, grinding and dust generation.

Franz Wittreich, CEO of Namibia Marble and Granite, said he saw the social media post and “was very angry”, describing the statements as company-damaging and unfounded.

Wittreich said his company has conducted testing “as required by international standards”, adding: “We can prove that our marble does not have any asbestos fibres.”

Risks

Within Karibib’s marble sector, differing views have emerged over whether the matter represents a genuine public health concern or a commercial dispute playing out in public.

Klaus Rheinschmidt, vice president of the Karibib Marble Association, said the risk depends on how asbestos-bearing material is handled.

He said asbestos becomes dangerous when fibres are released through grinding and fine dust.

“If they enter the body, the body cannot expel them. They accumulate in the lungs and cause asbestosis,” he said.

Rheinschmidt said fine marble dust is now widespread in Karibib.

“You can find this fine powder all over town. There are more than a hundred truckloads disposed of in various areas,” he said.

Asked whether dumping marble dust containing asbestos is dangerous to the community, he replied: “Yes, absolutely.”

He said industry workers are required to wear protective equipment and undergo annual medical checks, but added: “In Karibib, nobody is wearing these masks.”

He questioned the legality of current practices, saying: “Normally this material must be collected and disposed of properly. You cannot simply put it on driveways or streets,” describing the situation as “a big environmental issue”.

Tensions

Rheinschmidt acknowledged that there are commercial tensions within the local marble sector, including a dispute involving a joint venture with Best Cheer Stone Group. He said Erongo Marble is jointly owned by his company and Best Cheer, and that differences arose around shareholding.

However, he rejected suggestions that the allegations around marble dust dumping were driven by this dispute, saying he had been raising concerns about tremolite asbestos with the mines and energy ministry for more than a year, well before the report was circulated.

Another marble industry member in Karibib, who declined to be named, said the issue was being drawn into a private business dispute and expressed distrust of foreign testing.

“I want analysis done by Namibian laboratories,” he said. “We are here to create value, not to destroy people.”

The Karibib Town Council has not yet issued a formal position on the allegations, but confirmed it is investigating.

Karibib chief executive officer Tangeni Enkono said he was not aware of any such conduct taking place and that Best Cheer “have not been doing anything of that nature, as far as we are aware”. He said the municipality would nevertheless follow up on the matter and investigate the claims further.