EMPD torches R59 recycler’s waste worth tens of thousands

R59 recyclers are crying foul and claim that the EMPD ill-treated them.

This comes after the EMPD visited the group of recyclers on July 20 during its precinct operation, torching their recycling material, which according to the recyclers, have a total worth of about R80 000.

During the time of the incident, the fire department was also present to safeguard any dangers of the fire spreading.

As previously reported, the men residing within self-constructed dwellings on the stretch of land have been there for years.

These recyclers living off the R59 highway originate from different parts of Lesotho and have come to the province to support their families back home.

The recycling material destroyed ranged from boxes to plastic containers.

Kabang Leyang said the officers first arrived on July 19 at about 14:00, informing them to vacate the area and be gone by the weekend.

“While preparing to evacuate, they then arrived and burnt all our belongings. When they got here they didn’t even engage with us, they just burnt all our stuff. All this recyclable waste belongs to all of us and is sorted separately,” he said.

The 33-year-old said this recycling material took them at least two months to gather, despite the country being under lockdown, making their job even more difficult.

Echoing his sentiments, Kahlolo Tau, a father of three, said they were being ill-treated by the EMPD.

“They didn’t give us enough time to leave the area. Before we moved to where we are now, some EMPD members told us to leave our previous spot but to rather stay a bit further in the veld. And they’re the very same people burning our belongings,” he said.

One of the occupants reiterated that they should rather be given land to carry out their recycling work.

“If they can make arrangements with car guards and vendors, why won’t they have some form of arrangement with us? We’re also appealing to the community to come up with a solution because we’re trying to put food on the table. If we leave this place then where will we go?” he asked.

EMPD responds

According to Chief Supt Kelebogile Thepa of EMPD, recycling should benefit the recyclers financially, but should not harm the environment and leave risks for the citizens of the affected area.

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She also assured that in no shape or form did the EMPD damage personal property of the recyclers.

“Remedial and precautionary steps were taken to firstly ensuring the safety of all concerned and hence the participation of the emergency services by having a fire engine on-site during the cleaning operation,” she said.

Thepa reiterated that recyclers were given time to evacuate, as they were asked to gather all their belongings and what they wanted to put in their waste collection bags.

“We couldn’t, however, secure the assistance of waste management and we, therefore, had to decide on what to do with the waste that will be left behind after dispersing them. A decision was taken to burn the rubble, not personal belonging, that was left by the recyclers, which could not be placed in their waste collection bags,” she said.

She also told the RECORD that they did not start the fire before the recyclers collected their stuff.

“Nothing of value or any personal belongings was burnt. No trolleys were burnt as those trolleys are steel-framed,” said Thepa.

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