Huge dump near planned new houses

The illegal dump is next to the road between Welverdiend and Khutsong and has been there for most of the past decade, if not longer. Several private businesses are known to dump rubbish there, and the Herald has photographed the Merafong City municipal trucks offloading there in the past.
The illegal dump has grown significantly over the years. About five years ago, the rubbish was in the bushes about a kilometre from the road. Now, it is already visible from the road.
At midday on 10 July, a municipal truck with the registration number DK75BVGP visited the illegal dump twice in about 30 minutes.
A community leader from Khutsong Extension 3, Mr Chucku Kerileng, noted his concern about the dump.
“The municipality is soon going to build houses near this dump. It will pose a big health risk to the people moving in,” he warned.
Residents have complained that the dump smells and the rubbish is often set alight.
It also attracts unsavoury characters, including cable and metal thieves.
The Herald took the issues to the municipality the next day, and they acknowledged that a new housing area would go up near the dump.
“The area is Khutsong South Ext. 7, earmarked for future
development.
“The municipality will communicate the commencement date of the development at the right time. It will inform the relevant department and take action against people dumping illegally,” the municipal spokesperson said.