Residents still subjected to dump’s toxic fumes
Subjected to breathing in toxic fumes from the burning dump, St Lucia residents complain of ill health side affects
FOR at least two months now the burning of the St Lucia landfill site has bombarded the town with toxic fumes, with residents suffering the consequences of ill health.
Despite warnings and a notice of closure from the national Department of Environmental Affairs, the burning continues and the fire is regularly re-lit.
While a security guard is permanently posted at the entrance to the dump, the unfenced area cannot be fully protected and those responsible for lighting the fires allegedly do so out of the guard’s sight.
Mtubatuba Municipality’s new budget has made provision for the erection of a perimeter fence around the landfill site, but work is yet to commence.
Contravening numerous health and environmental laws, the burning landfill site, which falls under the responsibility of Mtubatuba Municipality, poses major health risks to those forced to breathe in the toxic fumes.
