A ‘war’ is looming at ‘Matiki’ the landfill site

SEDIBENG. – While a lot has been said about the collection or non-collection of rubbish in the Emfuleni area, a dangerous situation is said to be underway at one of Emfuleni Local Municipality’s (ELM) landfill sites, the Boitshepiville Landfill Site, commonly known as ‘Matiki’ that is between Sharpeville and Boipatong.

A recent call to Sedibeng Ster revealed that there are two groups of scavengers that are literally fighting for territory at the site. Sedibeng Ster can therefore reveal that there is one group that calls itself the ‘management’ of the site and another that has been barred from entering the site’s grounds

The ‘management’ is said to be responsible for selecting those that can enter the site and take ‘well-paying’ items. The group that has been barred from the site is said to operate from just outside the gates of the site and climbs on moving vehicles that have come to the site to dump rubbish, they apparently dump the rubbish from the moving trucks before the vehicles can even enter the site to see what they can get.

“What is happening here is a mess while we are dealing with rubbish all over our towns, people have turned this place into their own and preventing others from entering. While those that are barred from entering throw rubbish all over,” our source said.

While throwing rubbish off the moving vehicles, the leftovers are set on fire, preventing anyone from salvaging what is left.

“We are being prevented from entering here because some people want all the valuable goods that are found in the rubbish, such as scrap and household goods, to themselves. That is why we deal with the situation before the vehicles even enter the area,” said one of those that are operating from outside the gate of the landfill site.

Meanwhile, the members of the community nearby are complaining about the rubbish that is entering their yards due to it being thrown off the vehicles before they enter the dumping site. They also complain about the air pollution that is caused by the rubbish that is burnt outside the gates of the dumping site.

“We cannot live like this, people are going to die here, it’s either it us (that are going to die), or the scavengers as they are fighting amongst themselves,” a resident said.

The ELM announced late last year that the Boitshepi and Waldrift Landfill Sites will be closed effective from 1 April this year as they are almost at full capacity.

”The users are advised to use the Palm Springs Landfill site that is located along the Golden Highway Road,” the ELM said.