The metro is still trying to track down the owner of private land near the Mahlangu informal settlement, where illegal dumping has become a persistent problem.

Spokesperson Selby Bokaba said the owner will be instructed to stop and prevent further dumping on their premises and to clean the property.

“Failure to do so will see the city enacting the relevant sections of the Waste Management By-law,” he added.

He explained that under these by-laws, the municipality may take whatever steps are necessary to prevent or rectify a nuisance on private property and recover the costs from the responsible party.

“Section 26 of the by-law (access to the premises) states that the owner or occupier of property is liable for any nuisance or threat to public safety related to cleanliness, including preventing or removing illegal dumping.

“Should they fail to take necessary steps, the municipality may act to prevent or rectify the nuisance and recover costs from the owner.”

Bokaba also referred to Section 25 (liability of the person responsible), noting that anyone responsible for waste removed by the city is liable for the cost of cleaning, including administrative expenses and penalties where applicable.

This ensures that property owners, or those who dump illegally, cannot evade responsibility for the impact of waste on the community.

Bokaba said the city’s clearing operations are currently limited to public road reserves, which are serviced through monthly mechanical removal of dumped material and bi-weekly manual litter picking.

“The city does not provide waste management on private property, and the onus to ensure private property is clean rests with the owner or occupier.”

Last year, a multi-departmental site inspection was conducted, and the matter was escalated for investigation.

Bokaba explained that a site meeting took place on December 12, 2024, where the Waste Management Section in Region 4 agreed to distribute plastic bags to the community to store household refuse, with weekly collection by city trucks.

He said they have agreed to collect the waste following an approved collection schedule.

“The agreement was that the bags would be placed on public roads adjacent to the private property and be collected by the city’s contracted waste trucks.

“Plastic bags were eventually distributed through the ward councillor and identified community leaders,” he said.

However, Bokaba noted that the bags were misused and were not taken out on scheduled refuse collection days.

He added that while the city has held multiple engagements with the Ward 77 councillor and community leaders to curb illegal dumping, no formal waste management services can be provided on private property at this stage.

“The city continues to monitor the location, maintaining monthly clearing and bi-weekly litter picking along public roads adjacent to the property,” he added.

Bokaba confirmed that a report on the achievement of illegal dump clearing was shared in the regional council forum, recently convened on September 2.

“The report will be available in every seating and made available to all ward councillors.”

He also outlined the broader strategy in Region 4 (southern), which involves identifying illegal dumping hotspots.

It then works to clear them monthly, using mechanical equipment and litter picking, and supporting community-initiated clean-up projects through the Re Kaofela Programme.

This update comes after residents in The Reeds and surrounding areas raised their frustration as frequent fires at the massive dumpsite continue to blanket the area in toxic smoke.

Many said the burning has become constant in recent weeks, worsening health problems.

Deb Zanburg described how the toxic smoke is affecting her family personally.

“I live with my nine-year-old granddaughter, who is often absent from school due to health issues caused by the frequent smoke in the air, and she has a nasal drip,” she said.

Zanburg explained that the situation has required the involvement of a social worker and highlighted the health risks for both her and her granddaughter.

Ward 64 councillor Alta de Kock previously confirmed the health impact on residents living closest to the dumpsite.

“Residents who live close to the dumping site are fed up with the smoke that comes from the fires, and some of them have even been suffering from nosebleeds,” she said.

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