JMPD impound trucks at the Kya Sands illegal dumping sites
Xolani Fihla urged all residents, businesses, and community organizations to familiarize themselves with the citys by-laws and to play a responsible role in maintaining a clean and safe environment.
Relief may be on the horizon for residents of Randburg and Fourways, who have been exhausted by breathing smog coming from illegal dumping sites in Kya Sands for a long time.
Andre de Bruyn, from Jukskei Park, said he was at his wit’s end when he approached the office of the MMC for Public Safety Dr Mgcini Tshwaku for intervention.
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His efforts did not go in vain as Tshwaku, in collaboration with the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), initiated an undercover operation earlier this month.
This strategic endeavour uncovered a troubling scenario: trucks, some barely roadworthy, were caught in action transporting and dumping waste illegally at the site.
On October 16, during another targeted inspection of known dumping hotspots in the area, Tshwaku, together with JMPD officers, caught two vehicles, engaged in illegal dumping activities.
Both vehicles were promptly seized, and their owners were instructed to contact the Public Safety Department to explain their actions, this according to JMPD’s Xolani Fihla.
“To address the ongoing problem of by-law transgressions, the JMPD will deploy dedicated units to conduct regular patrols and inspections throughout the city. These teams will take appropriate enforcement action when necessary and this includes issuing citations and impoundment.”
De Bruyn said this was the first time that the JMPD had taken real action, as Tshwaku vowed to stop Illegal dumping on the city’s property.
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“The police are appealing to landowners where illegal dumping is taking place to lay charges for trespassing. The massive Malibongwe dump is on private property.”
Tshwaku confirmed that the site had been officially closed by the city.
Despite this, trucks continue to arrive and illegally dump waste at the location, which was shut down several years ago.
“We have confiscated five trucks without valid permits; some didn’t have proper licencing, and others were not road-worthy. Nobody is allowed to dump waste here because this landfill was closed by the city. So, we are going to enforce these by-laws as we have said.”
One of the residents Keith Elliott initiated a campaign under the The Kya Sand Burning Wasteland Community Forum Non-Profit Company to take legal action against the city in August. They won their first court appearance when the High Court ordered the city to conduct comprehensive air quality testing at their own costs.
The testing will include the installation of active and passive air samplers, and analysis of volatile organic compounds, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and hydrogen fluoride.
The results are expected to be presented by or before April 30, 2025.
The residents also submitted letters to President Cyril Ramaphosa to express their desperation to breathe, calling for help.
Ward 134 councillor Devon Steenkamp explained, due to the persistent pressure from both the community and his office, they are beginning to see some positive results with JMPD’s recent efforts in pulling over vehicles suspected of illegal dumping, and confiscating them.
“While we appreciate these efforts, it has unfortunately led to a diversion of other illegal dumpers, who are now heading directly to the Msawawa informal settlement. Illegal dumping in that area has drastically increased while JMPD has been focusing on the decommissioned Kya Sands landfill site.
He added that what is urgently needed is a co-ordinated and comprehensive operation to manage all entrances and exits to Kya Sands to prevent further illegal dumping. “This would give Pikitup the opportunity to clean up the area effectively. I have already raised these concerns in writing to the MMC of Public Safety.”
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