AfriForum finds many problems at landfill sites in Govan Mbeki Municipality
The number of illegal squatters at the sites is suspected to be more than 150.
HIGHVELD – AfriForum and municipal officials visited landfill sites in Secunda, Bethal, Kinross and Leandra two weeks ago and audited them.
This is an annual initiative by AfriForum.
The chairperson of Secunda’s AfriForum branch, Jan du Plessis, said the Govan Mbeki Municipality does not show much interest in community projects and that the landfill sites had not been improved since last year.
“Obviously, the municipality does not pay any attention to the laws and the landfill sites’ operating licenses,” said Du Plessis.
According to Du Plessis’s report, access and controls at the sites are a problem.
“There are no signs erected, as required. Signs are supposed to be in the appropriate official language indicating the route and distance to the landfill site from the main road.
“There are no signs at the gate indicating what type of waste can be dumped or the operating hours of the dumping site.”
According to the report, there is also insufficient fencing around the site in Secunda. The fence is full of holes, and reclaimers use them to enter and exit the site.
“Provision should be made in the integrated development plan to repair the fence and access gates,” said Du Plessis.
Other things AfriForum found that are out of order included no admission control at the gates, no inspection of what waste is coming into the landfill sites, no security guards patrolling the sites, reclaimers harassing residents, insufficient drainage that causes dams to form on the sites, illegal squatters, and illegal fires.
Du Plessis said the disposal tariffs included in residents’ monthly bills are also supposed to be displayed on notice boards at the dumping sites.
: AfriForum will audit landfill sites in Govan Mbeki Municipality again
“There are also supposed to be services such as water, sewerage, electricity, weighbridges and site offices at the landfill sites. There are, however, none of these resources available.
“There must be sufficient machinery, and equipment should be in working condition. The equipment frequently breaks down and is in a non-operational condition for extended periods.
“The contractor should be penalised for the unavailability of the required equipment.”
According to AfriForum’s report, the site supervisor is rarely seen on the site, and his knowledge and qualifications are questionable.
“The landfill manager does not enforce the legal requirements onto the contractor,” said Du Plessis.
“The landfill site manager should be held accountable and corrective action taken if the manager does not comply with the legal aspects.”
Du Plessis suspects that the many illegal reclaimers living on the dumping sites in illegal structures are contributing to the high crime rate in the area.
“Frequent house break-ins occur, and the suspects usually flee toward the landfill site when chased by security companies or the neighbourhood watch members who protect the area and try to keep it safe.
“The municipality should ensure that trained security guards protect the site and infrastructure.”
AfriForum also found animal waste, including carcasses, bones and stomach contents, and medical waste on some occasions at the site.
“If a person is found disposing of hazardous materials, they should be taken into custody and charged in a court of law.”
Du Plessis also said information such as the capacity of the site is not available, as well as how much of the capacity had been used to date, what the remaining lifespan of the site is before closure and what the daily rate of deposition at the site is.
Du Plessis said AfriForum will audit the landfill sites again next year.
