AfriForum pressurises municipality to reopen landfill sites in Ekurhuleni

AfriForum is putting pressure on the City of Ekurhuleni to urgently reopen the Rietfontein landfill site in Springs and the Rooikraal landfill site in Boksburg, which have been closed since January.

In a statement, the civil rights organisation said it instructed its law firm in April to send a letter of demand to the municipality regarding this matter. The letter requested the municipality to provide answers and an action plan about the closure of the landfill sites and when the problem was going to be solved.

AfriForum added the Ekurhuleni metro reacted in a letter on May 7, explaining that the metro is experiencing challenges in appointing a new service provider. This follows the previous service provider’s expired short-term contract.

According to Afriforum, the tender process is currently in the advertising phase and the municipality plans on appointing the new service provider at the end of June 2021. The closing of the landfill sites had a huge impact on the refuse removal backlog in the respective areas and the smaller sites such as Daggafontein in Springs, which is full, leading to the dumping of refuse outside the site.

Dewet Ungerer, AfriForum’s district coordinator for the East Rand, says the organisation will continue to monitor the situation closely until the landfill sites are fully operational.

“AfriForum welcomes the municipality’s reply and action plan, but the progress of appointing a new service provider will be monitored to ensure that residents receive the services they are paying for as soon as possible,” says Ungerer.

Also Read: Expired contract leads to closure of Rooikraal landfill site

Also Read: Closure of Rooikraal landfill site in Boksburg