The Gauteng Department of Environment (GDE) has confirmed that formal environmental enforcement action has been taken against the owner of land near the Mahlangu informal settlement, located at the corner of Rietspruit and Panorama roads in The Reeds, Centurion.

This action follows years of ongoing issues, including illegal dumping, recurring fires, and pollution concerns that have significantly affected nearby residents.

The Tshwane municipality previously informed Rekord that joint inspections with the department were conducted on the privately owned property.

The matter has since entered a legal process under the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA).

Andrew Mathabathe, GDE spokesperson, confirmed that compliance and enforcement processes were initiated under NEMA after inspections revealed multiple environmental violations at the site.

The violations identified include illegal dumping and unlawful accumulation of waste on the property, recurring fire incidents linked to the waste, and potential pollution impacts on surrounding communities and the environment.

In response, the GDE issued administrative enforcement action in the form of a Section 28 pre-directive to the landowner.

This pre-directive outlines the environmental violations and specifies remedial measures the landowner must implement.

“These measures include the removal of unlawfully dumped waste, ensuring the lawful disposal of waste, preventing further illegal dumping, improving site control measures, and mitigating environmental and fire risks on the property,” stated Mathabathe.

He confirmed that the department is seeking updated information on steps reportedly taken by the landowner, including any intended court processes.

He added that further enforcement action would be considered if non-compliance persists.

The department emphasised that the site has been inspected multiple times as part of ongoing compliance and enforcement efforts.

“The most recent joint operation, conducted on April 30, was led by the Gauteng MEC for Environment and included officials from the department’s compliance and enforcement unit, representatives from the City of Tshwane, and other relevant stakeholders.”

The landowner has expressed a willingness to remove the waste but claimed that unlawful occupation of the property has hindered access and clean-up efforts,” said Mathabathe.

He added that co-ordinated joint operations with relevant authorities would continue to ensure effective oversight and address concerns at the site.

However, inspections are conducted on a risk-assessed basis due to high levels of criminal activity in the area.

The recurring fires at the dumpsite remain a significant concern for surrounding communities.

Residents have repeatedly raised complaints about the thick smoke and its impact on their homes and health.

While the GDE has acknowledged the environmental impacts of the fires, smoke, and pollution, Mathabathe clarified that public health matters fall under the mandate of municipal and public health authorities, including the Tshwane metro.

Mathabathe emphasised that resolving the issues at the site would require co-ordinated action between the landowner, local government, and other competent authorities.

He reiterated the department’s commitment to engaging with the landowner to address the issues and to consider further enforcement measures if necessary. The department is also committed to working with the Tshwane metro as part of intergovernmental co-operation efforts.

These efforts aim to address the broader environmental and governance challenges at the site.

Mathabathe added that the department, alongside the metro, would continue to monitor the site, conduct operations where necessary, and ensure compliance with environmental laws.

Residents in The Reeds have long expressed frustration over the situation, citing smoke, fires, environmental degradation, and possible health risks as ongoing concerns.

The recurring fires, in particular, have caused thick smoke to spread into nearby homes, significantly affecting the quality of life for residents living near Panorama Road.

Despite these concerns, the metro previously acknowledged that its ability to intervene is limited, due to the property being privately owned and unlawfully occupied.

Tshwane Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo explained that the city does not clear illegal dumping on private property.

Instead, it issues compliance notices in terms of environmental legislation.

Mashigo noted that while the metro provides litter-picking services on surrounding public roads and offers operational support during fires, illegal activities on the private property have continued largely unchecked.

He revealed that the metro spends no less than R4 000 daily on waste operational support to respond to fires at the site.

Ward 64 councillor Alta de Kock has strongly criticised the prolonged lack of resolution at the property.

She described the situation as involving unlawful occupation, environmental damage to a wetland, illegal dumping, recurring fires, and serious safety risks.

De Kock also questioned the continued use of public funds to address the issue without implementing a long-term solution.

Rekord reached out to the landowner’s legal representatives for comment regarding this matter, but did not receive feedback by the time of publication.

Do you have more information about the story?

Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok or WhatsApp Channel