Residents demand action against illegal dumping in The Reeds

Rampant illegal dumping near Panorama Road in Centurion continues to pose serious health and environmental risks to residents in The Reeds.

According to residents, the situation has escalated in recent months with the ongoing burning of waste and illegal mining of sand in the area, severely affecting their daily lives.

This is most evident along the entrance to the site at the corner of Rietspruit and Panorama roads, where waste is frequently discarded.

Concerned community member Charles Kuppusamy said the burning of this waste is a growing issue, and they are reporting daily air pollution, worsened by the fumes being emitted as garbage is set alight.

He said they fear for their health, particularly those already suffering from respiratory conditions like emphysema.

Kuppusamy said they worry that the continuous inhalation of smoke and noxious fumes could have lasting effects on their children as well.

“The air quality here is unbearable. Every night, the smoke from burning waste fills our homes, and it’s getting harder to breathe.

“We’ve seen more people, especially the elderly and young children, developing respiratory issues, and we fear for our future,” said Kuppusamy.

The dangers associated with the illegal dumping in Brakfontein go beyond air pollution.

According to residents, the dumping site has become a hub for the disposal of hazardous materials, including medical waste.

This has led to growing fears about the spread of diseases, with residents noting that the area has become a breeding ground for vermin, including rodents and mosquitoes, which pose additional health threats.

Kuppusamy said local authorities have been made aware of the situation, and while certain actions have been taken, the problem persists.

“What once served as a natural wetland and green space is now becoming contaminated by toxic waste.

The dumping is polluting the soil and nearby water sources, which could have long-term ecological impacts.”

Kuppusamy mentioned that the wetland used to be one of the few natural spaces people could enjoy and that it’s now being destroyed by illegal activities.

“The soil and water are being polluted and it’s heartbreaking to see the damage being done to our environment,” he said.

Another resident Johan Crobler said residents in the area started reporting the issue of illegal dumping as far back as 2016.

He said early this year in February, they had a meeting with ward councillor Alta de Kock about the issue.

“We also signed a letter of complaint as residents with all of the concerns that we have been facing,” Crobler said.

He added that one of the constant worries at the moment is the burning of the waste, which happens on a daily basis.

The residents are now urging municipal leaders to enforce the law and take decisive action against illegal dumping before the situation deteriorates further.

Ward 77 PR councillor Adriana Randall said fires at the site occur frequently, with emergency services having to put them out each time.

“The fires are deep-seated because they can extinguish them but on hot days they just start up all over again from deep down the waste,” Randall explained.

She mentioned that residents have also asked for more regular patrols in the area and roadblocks for vehicles that go into the site.

“Residents are really frustrated by this issue because it has been ongoing for the longest time,” she added.

Tshwane metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the metro was aware of the illegal dumping in the said area and has since participated in various engagements with the affected parties and joint initiatives within the city to resolve the matter.

He said the matter has been escalated for investigation and that the city carried out a multi-departmental site inspection.

“To address the illegal dumping, critical steps have been identified, including increasing the visibility of the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) to monitor the site and prevent further illegal dumping.”

“The city’s environment and agriculture management department is also seeking assistance from the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment (GDARDE), which is responsible for the authorisation of waste disposal facilities,” he added.

Mashigo said there are ongoing efforts to contact the registered owner of the land to prevent future illegal dumping at the site and direct them to take corrective measures against the ongoing non-compliance on the property.

“The city will prevent ongoing degradation through establishing and activating inter-departmental teams.”

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