Councilor expresses concern over deteriorating transfer station in Kempton Park
According to the Master Plan, published in 2016, the Highveld Transfer Station is classified as a Large Site, receiving 3 000 tons of waste annually.
Ward 16 Clr Jaco Terblanche has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating condition of the Highveld transfer station on Highveld Road in Kempton Park.
Terblanche said the facility’s failure to comply with the City of Ekurhuleni’s Master Plan for Waste Removal is unacceptable.
According to the Master Plan, published in 2016, the Highveld transfer station is classified as a large site, designed to receive 3 000 tons of waste annually.
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However, Terblanche said the facility does not meet any of the stipulated regulations.
To bring the site into compliance, immediate action is needed to establish:
• A dedicated area for trucks to offload waste
• A public offloading area
• A recycling area
With the Master Plan now nine years old, these upgrades are long overdue.
“Residents are not receiving the services they pay for, and the situation is made worse by officials demanding ‘cooldrink money’ in exchange for assistance,” said Terblanche.
“This has led to an increase in illegal dumping in Kempton Park.”
He alleged that officials advise residents to dump refuse on the pavement if they refuse to pay the bribe.
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“I will write to the city manager, Dr Imogen Mashazi, to request a thorough investigation into these complaints and ensure that the transfer station serves the residents, not the officials’ interests,” Terblanche said.
He added that he would submit questions to the MMC for Environmental Resources and Waste Management, Leshaka Manamela, to determine the timeline for the station’s upgrades.
“We remain committed to fighting for a clean environment and ensuring that the facility becomes fully operational while holding corrupt officials accountable,” he said.
The Kempton Express sent an inquiry to the municipality on February 27, requesting a response by March 3. At the time of going to print, no comment had been received.
