City set to solve the problem of illegal dumping
KYA SAND – The City promised to report back to the community about the progress of solving the issue of the illegal dumping site.
The issue of illegal dumping in the Kya Sand precinct adjacent to the old decommissioned landfill has impacted scores of residents in three wards.
Residents in areas such as North Riding all the way to Steyn City in Fourways have been affected by this problem as illegal dumpers burn rubbish, and medical and hazardous waste. Depending on which direction the wind blows, residents are often exposed to the toxic air emanating from the illegal dumping site.
About 150 000 residents of wards 115, 134 and 101 are affected by the smoke and pollution.
City of Johannesburg MMC for Infrastructure and Environmental Services, Michael Sun, Ward 115 councillor Mark van der Merwe, Metro police officials, Douglasdale police, Pikitup and City officials conducted a site inspection on January 7 to establish how dire the issue was.
The illegal dumping site is the equivalent height of four storeys, and illegal operators allegedly charge the illegal dumpers an entrance fee to off-load their rubbish and building rubble.
The Visible Policing (Vispol) commander at Douglasdale Police Station, Colonel David Senna, told stakeholders at a briefing that they had invited the local government as the situation was spiralling out of control.
“The situation has deteriorated and we need an integrated approach. We need to work together. We have identified the criminal elements and Metro police will deal with those that are transgressing bylaws,” he said.
Sun said it was very important that as the City, they identified the problem, conducted an inspection, found a solution and acted to combat the problem. “This is not some PR stunt, I am not going to leave the problem alone. We will resolve it,” he said.
During the inspection, Sun managed to stop an illegal dumper and handed him over to Metro officials. Two vehicles were impounded. Sun, Van der Merwe and community representatives agreed that they would report back within 14 days.
Van der Merwe said the problem had gradually escalated after the landfill had been decommissioned. “I have been working with the residents to see how we can hold the municipal entities to account for this growing nightmare,” he said.
He added they have been trying to get the problem solved for about a year, and through Sun’s commitment, he had the feeling that they were going to solve the problem.
“Thank you to Bokka du Toit who is one hell of a leader in the community and who has the passion and drive to make it all happen,” he concluded.
