The Standerton Dumpsite proved a disquieting experience on 4 April when medical waste was spotted among the rubbish.
The Standerton Advertiser investigated the site and saw a group of municipal workers clearing the entrance and making sure residents do not dump refuse in front.
The group had managed to clear a three metre space from the entry point.
Upon further investigation, carcasses were seen with bones resembling those of cattle and the talk among the workers were about people dumping dogs in black bags at the dumpsite.
The discovery of medical waste altogether painted a different picture.
The workers said the smoke billowing upwards was because of their decision to rather burn paper than having the wind blowing it in different directions.
Ms Carol-Anne Harper, who lives near the Secunda Road, made no bones about the conditions. Apart from the family having to foot medical bills for asthma-related problems, another factor comes into play.
“The road is very dangerous with the mist and smoke early in the morning,” she said.
The Standerton Advertiser contacted the Gert Sibande District Municipality’s health department about the medical waste on 5 April, knowing full well it is illegal.
An inspector said she could not comment since the newspaper had to contact the municipal manager of the Lekwa Municipality, Ms Gugu Mhlongo-Ntshangase, for the necessary approval.
The newspaper made three telephone calls and the first to the municipality’s landline, was not answered.
Subsequent calls to the communications manager, Ms Thobeka Mtshiselwa, and Ms Thando Nkosi of the communications department went to voicemail.
Gert Sibande’s Air Quality Management Bylaw as published in the Provincial Gazette of 21 May 2014 defines air pollution as follows:
“Any change in the composition of the environment caused by smoke, soot, dust, fly ash, cinders, solid particles of any kind, gases, fumes, aerosols …where that change has an adverse effect on human health or well-being…”
Waste includes any substance, whether solid, liquid or gaseous which is (a) discharged, emitted or deposited in the environment in such volume, constituency or manner as to cause an alteration in the environment.
The National Environmental Management Act, 107 of 1998 is relevant.
The call to the health department of Gert Sibande was not in vain because the newspaper’s offices were visited on 5 April and the information shared.
The official however, advised us to follow protocol and to contact the municipal manager.
Readers will be updated on progress in this regard.
