Kinross dump site is a mess

The residents in Kinross have to daily endure the mess of illegal dumping and piles of rubbish. The dumping site is close to residential homes on Manuel and Protea streets and Spitz Street, next to the old golf course. Instead of driving up the road to the actual site, the public and businesses dump rubbish at the entrance.

Besides the illegal dumping, stench and health hazards, residents live in fear because of the scavengers that frequent the area and say it is an invitation to crime such as house burglary and theft out of their property.

“This site is an absolute nightmare. Truck and trailer loads of rubbish are even dumped at the nearby substation. What person in their right mind just dumps in the first place they see? Drive up to the dump site and go dump your rubbish where it should be dumped,” said the resident.

The resident said people from all races and the working class are dumping their rubbish.

“It is disgusting. Do people not have any respect?” asked the resident.

The resident is also concerned that only one street light works and says the area is very dark.

“We are elderly who stay here. My neighbours are in their 80s. Their house was previously burgled when they went away,” said the resident.

Besides safety, there are also health concerns.

“I have asthma and the burning of the rubbish affects it. My chest closes up and I can not breathe,” said the resident.

Ward 17 DA Clr Jaco Tesner said, “The dumpsite has been a problem for the community for some years, with people dumping at the entrance.”

Tesner said it was worse when it rains because no one could enter the dumping site.

“Several contractors were appointed and cleanup actions took place and the area started to look neat again. That never lasts long. When we look again, we are back to square one,” said Tesner.

The concern is there is no one at the dumping site to guide people where to discard their rubbish.

“Residents dump where the scavenger shows them,” said Tesner.

He concluded, saying a permanent solution was keeping the rubbish dump clean through fencing, security, and proper management.

In response to the Ridge Times enquiry about the state of the dumping site, Govan Mbeki Municipality (GMM) spokesperson Donald Green said the GMM had three licensed operational and five licensed closed waste disposal (landfill) sites.

Operational sites include Bethal, Secunda and Leandra landfill sites, whereas the closed sites include the Bethal/Morgenzon Road, Evander, eMbalenhle, Lebohang and Kinross landfill sites.

“Despite the closure licence received for the Kinross site, it is still operational until the municipality develops an alternative disposal facility.

“The infrastructure and maintenance at all the waste disposal (landfill) sites does not meet the minimum requirements for waste disposal by landfill and regulations in terms of the Waste Act,” said Green.

He said the Secunda waste disposal site has limited remaining air space available. The Leandra landfill is identified as a central landfill for the municipality, with waste infrastructure such as a central transfer station in Evander and 17 mini-transfer stations across the municipality to address future disposal and landfill site needs.

“As soon as funds are available, we will address these needs,” said Green.

He said that while it remains the responsibility of the municipality to ensure and maintain the general cleanliness of streets and public spaces, GMM calls on communities to work with the municipality to combat illegal dumping.

He urged residents to use the weekly refuse removal services instead of dumping waste on open spaces, as it may lead to waste piling up, causing health hazards and crime.

“Dumping refuse and rubble in areas not designated for waste disposal negatively impacts the environment,” concluded Green.