Residents of River Park and Lombardy East have endured ongoing disruption from dozens of trucks depositing waste daily at an unregulated mountain of construction rubble next to City Power’s Alexandra substation.

Read more: Ward 81 in River Park gets its messenger

The mountain, which has been growing for nearly five years, now forms a significant eyesore and environmental hazard just metres from homes in Ward 81.

The growing pile has expanded to surround an intended soccer field and is encroaching on the riverbanks.

Democratic Alliance mayoral candidate Helen Zille visited the area on May 15 and issued a stark warning following her fact-finding mission.

“There are dumping sites on both sides of the Jukskei River, and that is very serious for the river because soon, it is going to be impossible for the river course to flow through, and then the implications for Alexandra will be terrible,” Zille said.

Also read: Ward 81 councillor Irene Rugheimer reminiscences on 2020

“If that river gets blocked, Alexandra will be completely flooded.”

According to Ward 81 councillor Joanne Horwitz, the dumping began when the Johannesburg Development Agency sought to relocate construction rubble from Alexandra township to create level ground for a soccer field near the substation. However, the site soon attracted additional illegal dumping from local and external sources, particularly construction sites in Sandton.

Horwitz said she had repeatedly raised the issue in council without success. “I have put in a question to the council. It was responded to, and it was written down that a resolution would be facilitated within six months. That was about 18 months ago, and still nothing has happened,” she said.

Truck drivers operating at the site have claimed they are being turned away from official dumping facilities, such as the one in Marlboro, pushing them toward unregulated sites such as this one.

Leonard Sithole, who claims to manage the site, alleges that city officials in branded vehicles authorised the operation. He said the site handles only recyclable construction rubble and that his team had cleared what was previously a bushy area used for criminal activity. The material is levelled for use as parking during soccer tournaments. Sithole said that their activities have helped prevent informal settlements and reduce street dumping in Alexandra.

Alex News contacted the City of Johannesburg, the mayor’s office, and the Johannesburg Development Agency for comment on May 9. An update will be given once their comment has been received.

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