Kwa-Thema – The community of Ext 4 met with the MMC of environment and waste management, Brandon Pretorius, at the Rietfontein landfill site.
The meeting came about after the community had asked the site’s management to stop production because the foul smell affected the areas close to the landfill.
Community members highlighted the use of toxic chemicals at the site that are harmful to them as nearby residents.
It was said that the odour has contributed to many illnesses, including chronic sinusitis, asthma and TB.
The community members also mentioned that the site is home to unknown criminals who regularly attack and steal from the community.
Pretorius stated, “Procurements have been made to ensure the site functions as it should.”
Pretorius also mentioned that the metro is trying to bring more fleets to the site, something the community does not want.
At the meeting, one voice said that the site should close for good. Others mentioned that it could open for operations but far away from the residential area.
During the meeting, two vehicles were turned back by the community because they had brought things to dump at the site.
The MMC committed to meeting the community again on Tuesday or Wednesday to try and reach an agreement with them because the first meeting concluded without an understanding between the parties as to whether the site would be closed for good or merely temporarily closed.
The Ekurhuleni Divisional Head and the HOD of environment and waste management, together with the MMC, asked the staff and management at the site to remove their cars from the premises because they closed the site’s gates.
The site remains closed until further notice.
