Burning issue at the VKLM dumping site raises concern
ActionSA VKLM spokesperson Arthur Rozana, says there is no management or control measures of waste in place at the dumping site and apart from air pollution, there is also a huge possibility of water pollution.
Botleng’s landfill site is a hazard to all Victor Khanye Local Municipality (VKLM) residents. This is according to ActionSA VKLM spokesperson Arthur Rozana.
“There are no management or control measures of waste at the dumping site and apart from air pollution, it has a huge possibility of water pollution,” said Rozana.
Rozana further stated substances such as grease and oil, to name a few, are being dumped at the site.
“When it rains, this waste washes downstream. Animals on both large- and smaller farms are drinking the contaminated water.”
Rozana said that this situation could be devastating for both animals and people.
“This is a silent killer.”
According to a document released by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), waste management is a concurrent function amongst all spheres of government.
The Department of Environmental Affairs, as the custodian of environmental management, has the mandate to ensure a safe and healthy environment that is not harmful to the well-being of the citizens of the country.
“In recognition of this constitutional obligation, the department promulgated the National Environmental Management: Waste Act 59 of 2008 (Waste Act) and in 2010 developed the National Waste Management Strategy (NWMS).
The Waste Act proactively assists the government in adhering to the constitutional assignment of legislative and executive powers between the three spheres of government and the NWMS assists to achieve the goals and objectives of the waste act.”
“Working on waste is an initiative of the Department of Environmental Affairs implemented under the auspices of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). The initiative is a proactive preventative measure and recognises that inadequate waste services may lead to litter, which is not only visual pollution but may lead to health hazards and environmental degradation.
“Ineffective waste management practices can affect the well-being of communities and the increased use of illegal dumping and littering can further exacerbate this.”
The DFFE further stated this program seeks to ensure the achievement of both social and ecological sustainability through implementing sustainable waste management practices.
With that and the VKLM residents’ health, air and water pollution in mind, Rozana wrote an email to Vusi Buda, the VKLM mayor.
In this email, dated February 7, addressed to Buda and of which Streeknuus has a copy, Rozana stated, “I have a video footage as well as pictures of a fire that produces toxic fumes. Fires are an almost daily occurrence that affects the health of the residents. Some residents have been adversely affected, suffering from various ailments such as asthma, migraine, tuberculosis and cancer,” stated Rozana in the email.
Rozana also requested a meeting with Buda, but at the time of going to print this meeting has not taken place.
On a question to Rozana, whether they have conducted tests to prove that the fumes from burning debris and water pollution are toxic, he stated that they have not yet done it because of the great expense.
He is, however, determined to fight for the best interest of the VKLM residents.
“I am the current chairperson of the ActionSA VKLM constituency and also that of the non-profit organisation ProSA, which is a people’s rights organisation in South Africa. “We are also in liaison with some environmentalists around the country.”
Streeknuus addressed an email to the municipal manager, Thabo Mashabela, about the ‘burning issue’ at the VKLM dumping site. At the time of going to print have not yet received any feedback.
This is a developing story. Read more in the next issue of Streeknuus.
