Fairland dump filth spreads to park as government dawdles
Councillor bemoans the seeming inability of local government and entities to collaborate effectively to resolve important community problems.
In September 2022, the Fairland municipal Pikitup dump was closed after furious residents engaged in the public participation process held to hear views on the expansion of the site.
The utility embarked on expanding services beyond only receiving garden refuse without compiling an environmental impact assessment (EIA). Residents near the site caused an outcry saying the move would detrimentally affect their property prices and hurt the surrounding environment.
The Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD) issued an administrative R5m fine to Pikitup for the unlawful commencement of a listed activity associated with the expansion of the existing drop-off site in Fairland.
Pikitup spokesperson Muzi Mkhwanazi said, “Pikitup is adhering to the decision of GDARD not to proceed with upgrades or operate the site following complaints lodged by some residents. We have requested the fine to be reviewed, a decision that is currently pending.”
He also said they are still waiting for a directive that seeks permission for maintenance work to begin following their submission on November 16.
Maintenance work is due for the following:
- Replace and repair the temporary broken fence
- Re-erect fallen poles
- Instal a darker colour shade of cloth over the site
- Clear rubble outside the fence.
Ward 99 councillor Beverley Jacobs says, “The discord between local and provincial government has come under huge scrutiny by myself on the Fairland dumpsite and the inability of local government to resolve the matter efficiently and or effectively.
“After residents’ concerns about the upgrade of the facility triggered the intervention of the Provincial Government (GDARD), the process slowed down drastically almost to a point of no progress. I believe the fine in itself was disproportionate to the project value of R8m on an existing structure.
“I raised this issue with Pikitup as a red flag and huge concern because this is taxpayers’ money being floundered.”
It is almost three months after the utility requested permission to carry out maintenance at the site which is linked to a public park.
Jacobs says that private stakeholders last October said they were willing to assist in this matter by cleaning up the site but ‘the non-responsiveness to these private stakeholder’s offer of assistance has seen the site grow to a slum with health and safety implications’.
“I will be approaching members within the provincial government to assist in this matter.”
On a separate issue, Jacobs says on January 22, she requested Pikitup to provide her with a report about the actual project. “This is a separate issue on whether Pikitup has made a sound business decision to proceed with the project or not.”
She has so far not received a report and will report this matter to the Section 79 Committee for Infrastructure.
Related Article: Pikitup fined R5m over Fairland dump
