The residents say the metro’s dumping site right next to their homes is giving off an unbearable stench and poses a health hazard.
Gadebe says the site has been operational since around 1990 and the houses in question were developed after the establishment of the site and therefore the housing development encroached on the 800m site buffer zone.
He further states that the landfill is operated as per the permit condition.
“The metro conducts quarterly gas migration and water monitoring to ensure that no gas is migrating off the landfill site and no groundwater pollution takes place or affects the residents.
“It is, however, recommended that residents not reside within the 800m buffer zone from the landfill site,” he says.
Gadebe also points out that the site has a lifespan of approximately 10 years and the investigations are ongoing on the extension of the lifespan.
“The metro has already invested more than R200-million in this facility and therefore closing it down is impractical,” he adds.
Lastly he says the metro has monthly monitoring committee meetings whereby all residents are invited to raise their issues and have them addressed by relevant and involved parties.
“To date, no odour complaints have been received and the metro is not aware of such,” says Gadebe.
