Landfill sites in and around Rand West City need urgent intervention as they are in an unacceptable state.
According to Dewet Ungerer, AfriForum District Coordinator: West Rand, the landfill site in Westonaria (Libanon) achieved a compliance score of 48 per cent in 2020 as compared to the 100 per cent last year, while Randfontein’s landfill site went from bad to worse – from a 46 per cent compliance score in 2019 to being closed in 2020. The landfill site in the neighbouring Carletonville achieved a compliance score of 68 per cent in 2020, which is considered an improvement from previous years; however not enough.
According to Ungerer, AfriForum audited 135 landfill sites nationwide this year as part of its national project to measure the standard of landfill sites in South Africa.
He said 11 of the 16 landfill sites that were audited in Gauteng adhered to national standards. In terms of applicable legislation and regulations, including the National Environmental Management: Waste Act 59 of 2008, a landfill site must adhere to specific standards.
“The audit consists of a list of 33 questions that measure the minimum requirements for landfill sites in South Africa, and includes factors such as access control, fires, medical waste, fencing, rehabilitation etc. A landfill site must obtain at least 80 per cent to comply with legislation.”
In contrast, Sampie Steinberg, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for Greater Pretoria said most of the landfill sites in Gauteng are in a suitable state.
The larger landfill sites are well managed, but the management of smaller sites deserve more attention.”
Steinberg said the most common problems AfriForum identified during the audit were, among others, the absence of waste management licences, the complete mismanagement of sites and the poor maintenance of fences and gates.
“Because of funds being misappropriated and mismanagement by municipalities, landfill sites have become homes to homeless people. Many sites are unsafe and inaccessible to residents who want to make us if it. We will also exercise pressure on authorities in their areas to establish waste-monitoring committees to improve the waste-management process.
“These committees will consist of municipalities and interested parties wanting to improve waste management in a particular town. We will arrange a meeting with Barbara Creecy, Minister of Environmental Affairs, to identify sites that need to be restored and reach the necessary standards.
“The audit report will also be submitted to the Green Scorpions for further investigation and action against non-compliant municipalities.
We will continuously monitor the process to ensure that landfill sites are improved to reach the required standards.”
