Geduld mini-dumpsite clean, again

The City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) has made efforts to clean up Geduld mini dumpsite.

This is after Springs residents lamented over the state and maladministration of the town’s dumping sites.

The recent months have proven to be especially frustrating due to the alleged lack of proactiveness from the metro.

“It took two years and four months to get this done. We submitted a petition on November 9, 2020, and it worked in the end,” explained Barend van Heerden, chairperson of the Springs CPF.

Van Heerden, who also headed the concerned citizens group, says they managed to collect more than 5 000 signatures on the petition.

Locals who live near the site have not only commented on the stench but also the dumping that happens outside the walls of the sites, which has led to some of the trash piling up outside of their homes.

The dumpsite was full and some residents resorted to leaving their refuse around the site.

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The CoE confirmed its environment and waste management department embarked on a cleaning campaign to ensure that mini sites are cleaned.

“The Geduld site (and others) will be opened for operations as of March 29,” said city spokesperson Zweli Dlamini.

Van Heerden commended the department for the clean-up thus far.

However, the matter seems to be a recurring issue. In September, rubbish piled up around the Geduld site as general workers raised concerns about their working conditions.

Solly Ntsie and other workers alleged that the mini dumpsite has reached full capacity due to overflowing rubbish.

They alleged that there is poor maintenance and a shortage of removal trucks at the dump site and it’s been almost over a month since the rubbish was collected. As a result, they say they’ve had to turn people away.

“We struggle a lot. Sometimes we have to find empty spaces to dump due to lack of capacity,” said Ntsie.

The workers said they fear that the conditions at the site will affect their health.

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“We have reported the matter to the relevant parties numerous times, but nothing has been said or done. Instead, we are being taken from pillar to post,” said Ntsie.

They are pleading with the municipality for a permanent solution.

Comment was requested from the City of Ekurhuleni on September 21, September 28, and October 5, with none forthcoming.