Interwaste site under investigation
MIDRAND – Is there a third force in the Interwaste and residents saga?
A long-standing allegation by Glen Austin residents that poor air quality and a stench from the Interwaste FG landfill site is affecting residents’ health is being investigated by the Green Scorpions from the National Department of Environmental Affairs.
The investigation has revealed that a search warrant was issued for the Interwaste FG landfill site on 22 February. Samples from the site were taken by the Green Scorpions for testing.
Residents have, over the years, complained about the dust, air quality and stench coming from the site, located on Olifantsfontein Road in Midrand, and this has now prompted an investigation into how Interwaste handles its waste.
Read: Interwaste in the spotlight again as stench grips parts of Midrand
For the past year, some residents also alleged that they have become sick because of the stench and dust coming from the site. Midrand Reporter asked for proof of this, however, none of the residents who brought the allegation to the paper have come forward with confirmation from medical doctors as yet.
Chief director of communications for the department, Albi Modise explained, “During this exercise, various samples were collected. These have been taken to laboratories for analysis, the findings whereof will be included as evidence should the matter be pursued through a criminal prosecution process.
“In addition to the samples that are being analysed and the other evidence that has been collected, the department is also in possession of information that competitors of Interwaste, which are also being investigated by the Department of Environmental Affairs for various environmental contraventions, have approached members of the community – for reasons that remain unclear. All this information will be provided to the Director of Public Prosecutions for that office to evaluate whether or not to pursue a prosecution in this matter.
Read: Residents complain about Interwaste FG Landfill on Olifantsfontein
“As the issues raised by the community cut across various environmental areas over which different competent authorities exercise jurisdiction, there may be actions that have been taken by other authorities which have not been incorporated in this response, particularly as the licensing authority for this site is a provincial authority.”
Interwaste’s chief executive officer, Allan Willcocks confirmed that the Department of Environmental Affairs took samples from the site to be tested. “It must be noted that Interwaste’s environmental compliance is not negotiable and we will never compromise on this position.”
He added that they took duplicate samples at the time which were analysed with no issues identified.
“As such, we are confident of our processes and legal compliance in this regard and have no concerns around this testing process and the outcomes thereof,” said Willcocks.
“The Green Scorpions are undertaking such sampling at a number of sites across the country, as they have done previously, as part of their normal function. Since the sampling done at our site in February, we have had no further feedback from them.”
