Following more complaints about the safety and management of the Pikitup Panorama Compost site in Allen’s Nek, the MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services (EISD) Councillor Mpho Moerane commissioned a probe into the issues at the site.
Moerane, who has previously conducted a site visit alongside the Pikitup Managing Director, Bukelwa Njingolo, witnessed the safety and management concerns that the residents and councillors had expressed.
Currently, the residents’ major concerns are the illegal recyclers camping on the boundary of the site whose presence has been linked to the vandalism and theft of infrastructure on the site; illegal dumping; and a security risk.
Criminal activities in the street and break-ins in townhouses in the area have also been attributed to their undesirable presence.
In a bid to ease the crisis, Moerane tabled planned interventions to resolve the problem.
“The facility will be secured by repairing the damaged perimeter wall by 26 February 2021, to ensure that there is proper access control at the facility once repaired. Pikitup has implemented a multipronged approach to relocate the squatters who are residing in and around the compost site,” he cited.
He added that the Departments of Home Affairs (DHA) and Social Development (DSD), the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) and the police had been engaged over the relocation of the squatters.
“An operation plan was agreed upon with the abovementioned organisations to remove the squatters by 12 February,” he said.
To enforce the closure of the site, Moerane said signage reflecting a temporary closure of the compost facility will be installed by 12 February. He further explained that Pikitup has appointed a consulting engineer as a long-term measure to, among others, investigate possible alternative land use options at the compost plant.
“A consulting engineer has also been appointed to develop a rehabilitation plan for the compost plant facility. The site will be secured to ensure proper access control by 26 February 2021. The Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo, and the Johannesburg Property Company have been consulted with regard to the cutting of grass on the adjacent land, and this was to be done by 8 February 2021,” he explained.
He added that JMPD will be called on a regular basis to remove the informal traders in front of the site.
“The required funding will be as per the available budget in this financial year (2020/ 2021),” Moerane concluded.
