SEDIBENG.- Emfuleni Local Municipality  (ELM) Waste MMC lead an oversight visit to address challenges following the recent closure of the Boitshepi landfill site and Sonland Park transfer station.

Last Wednesday,26 July, ELM MMC for Waste, Jonas Radebe conducted an oversight visit to assess challenges posed by the closure of the Boitshepi Landfill site and Sonland Park Waste Transfer station. The visit focused on mushrooming illegal dumping sites in Vanderbijlpark, Boipatong, Sonland Park, Sebokeng, and Evaton areas.

Radebe was joined by ELM Section 80 Committee members, affected ward councilors, community leaders, and local businesses concerned with keeping Emfuleni clean. Addressing the delegation, Radebe said that he is aware of worrying recycling operations led by waste pickers at illegal dumping sites across Emfuleni,
particularly outside Boitshepi Landfill Site and Sonland Park transfer station.

“Following these visits, the municipality is set to be able to effectively plan around tackling waste management challenges in the area through the help of community leaders and the local business community. With our limited waste compactor truck fleet, the municipality is collecting household waste fortnightly, which contributed to the spread of illegal dumping sites over the months. In areas where waste is generated rapidly, we collect household waste on a weekly basis,” Radebe added.

Alongside household waste collection, the municipality has a day-to-day program to clear illegal dumping sites and street sweeping services to keep our towns clean. ELM, through its waste department, continues to do everything in its power to uphold the constitutional mandate of servicing the people of Emfuleni.

“While efforts to keep Emfuleni clean are underway, I would like to warn residents and businesses to stop illegal dumping, this is bad for our environment. Going forward, heavy fines will be issued to transgressors by our Super By-Law Department,” Radebe concluded.