VEREENIGING – The Midvaal Local Municipality has stepped in to address the growing crisis of illegal dumping on the outskirts of Redan – despite the site falling within the Emfuleni Local Municipality’s borders.

On Wednesday afternoon, Midvaal ward councillors Gerrit Viljoen (Ward 13) and Erline Jordaan (Ward 3), joined by MMC for Public Safety Chantal Gomes, laid out a plan of action to clean up the site, which has affected nearby areas such as Kookrus, Rothdene and Redan with constant smoke and pollution.

UPDATE 2025/09/10: According to an informed source, this clean-up follows after consultations and meetings involving councillors from both municipalities – among them Emfuleni’s Grace Damon, who played a role in getting the process underway, as well as Midvaal councillors Salome Janse van Rensburg (Ward 1) and Phil Pretorius (Ward 14).

Although community frustration is high, turnout at the public meeting was low. Local resident Wayne McKenzie, visibly frustrated, left before the meeting began, saying: “Ons k*k en kerm nou al vir maande hieroor… en dit is die opkoms?”

The clean-up will not begin immediately, as several recyclers have put up structures on the site and must be evicted through a court process in terms of the PIE Act. Once eviction notices are served, the occupants will have 14 days to vacate.

In the interim, Midvaal has coordinated roadblocks along the M61 to prevent further dumping.

Local businesses and residents have already stepped up – offering TLBs, diesel and manpower.

Plans to fence off the area and post permanent patrollers are also in place.

The illegal site emerged after the closure of Emfuleni’s licensed Waldrift landfill in 2022.

With no official dumping site available, refuse has been piling up – even attracting well-known businesses.

Viljoen admits the problem may shift elsewhere: “But it must move that side – not our side.”

Residents hope the clean-up brings much-needed relief. “As die wind waai, kan ons nie asemhaal nie,” one said.