As part of city manager, Kagiso Lerutla’s, Fixing the Frontline Programme, EMPD officers conducted a visit to the Weltevreden Landfill Site on Tuesday, which has been closed since early December due to escalating illegal mining activities.

Following the inspection, the EMPD has committed to planning a comprehensive operation to halt illegal activities, restore site security, and reopen the landfill to support uninterrupted waste services.

As previously reported by the Brakpan Herald, according to the City of Ekurhuleni, violent encounters led to the city’s Waste Management Service Business Unit deciding to close the site on December 8 to protect employees and clients.

Those who make use of the site were advised by the city to use facilities such as Rietfontein, Rooikraal or Platkop instead.

Regarding the site’s closure, Ward 97 Clr Brandon Pretorius told the Herald that the site operator has formally communicated concerns regarding the expansion of illegal mining by zama zamas within and around the landfill.

“These activities pose serious safety, environmental and operational risks making it impossible to resume operations under the current conditions,” he explained.

According to him, at present there is no estimated or provisional reopening date. Any reopening will depend entirely on the successful removal of illegal operators and the restoration of safety at the site.

“As far as I am aware, security is currently limited to personnel stationed at the main gate. Their role is restricted to preventing residents and businesses from entering the site,” he said.

“These measures are wholly inadequate to address illegal mining activities occurring beyond the gate area and do not provide protection against armed criminal elements operating on the site.

“Thus far the impact on refuse collection rounds has been moderate with residents experiencing one-day delays in some areas. However, this situation is extremely fragile.

“Vehicles are now required to travel further distances to alternative disposal sites, which places significant strain on fleet capacity and operational schedules. If unresolved this could rapidly escalate into a full collapse of waste collection services in Brakpan.

“In addition, the closure has led to a notable increase in illegal dumping, particularly along Main Reef Road which has itself been closed.

“Throughout December I worked closely with community members to report illegal dumping incidents. While fines have been issued to those caught, enforcement alone has not been sufficient to deter ongoing dumping.

“I strongly urge residents not to resort to illegal dumping out of frustration. This is our community and we cannot become contributors to its decline. The responsibility for resolving this crisis lies with the authorities, not the residents.”

Pretorius believes that illegal dumping will worsen if decisive action is not taken urgently.
He added that he is committed to keeping the community fully informed on all developments and decisions regarding the landfill site and related interventions.

“At this stage, the relevant department has confirmed that my request for SANDF assistance to support the city has been formally acknowledged and will be actioned,” he said.

According to information provided by local law enforcement, it is believed that the zama zamas are armed with heavy ammunition which necessitates the involvement of national security resources to ensure a safe and effective operation.

“As the new year begins, one does not wish to adopt a negative tone. However, the reality is that Brakpan and the City of Ekurhuleni as a whole is under siege due to the unchecked spread of zama zama activities,” said Pretorius.

“Daily infrastructure is being damaged, directly affecting law-abiding, rate-paying residents. Within a 1km radius we have experienced the collapse of Main Reef Road and Snake Road, and now the destruction and closure of the landfill site.

“This situation is unacceptable and cannot be ignored. Proactive, decisive action is required immediately. Failure to act not only undermines service delivery, but erodes public confidence and places communities at risk.”

The City of Ekurhuleni confirmed that the facility remains closed as the threat persists.

“This is because illegal miners remain on site and therefore the lives of innocent people remain threatened, and the matter has been escalated to the EMPD,” said city spokesperson Zweli Dlamini.

“The EMPD remains on high alert and is monitoring the situation. The site remains closed indefinitely, until security forces can confirm that it is safe to reopen it.

“The closure of Weltevreden has resulted in waste from Brakpan and surrounding areas being redirected to the nearest available sites: Rietfontein (Kwa-Thema) and Rooikraal (Dawn Park) thus inconveniencing all stakeholders that were using the facility.

“At the same time, this move remains the only alternative when it comes to protecting innocent people from the unpredictable situation caused by the zama zamas and those doing recycling.”