The DA in Dipaleseng has written to the Municipal Manager, Lwazi Cindi, urging him to rehabilitate the municipality’s landfill site in Grootvlei.
This comes after we learnt that the municipality is not compliant with their waste disposal license conditions. According to the Auditor General’s report for 2023/2024, the municipality was issued with a closure notice in 2014, which instructed them to restore compliance at the landfill site.
Earlier today, the DA embarked on an oversight to the landfill site and we noted that there is illegal waste that is being dumped on the road that leads to the landfill site.
It is concerning to note how the municipality’s disregard for environment laws led to unwanted littering and enhanced illegal dumping. This goes to show that the municipality is failing in its mandate of protecting the environment and combating social threats and illegal dumping.
It must be highlighted that the burning of waste at this landfill site poses a safety risk and increases air pollution. The landfill site is situated next to communal developments, therefore, the municipality’s lethargic approach in dealing with this matter is worrisome.
As the custodians of the landfill site, the municipality has the legal responsibility of ensuring that the site operates according to the standards of the Department of Environmental Affairs.
The municipality should take it upon themselves to ensure that the landfill sites have a section for recycle and non-recyclable waste separately. There is also a serious need for a designated section for hazardous materials that need to be kept from the public.
The ANC administration needs to take accountability for this landfill site. The DA will not relent, we will make sure that the ANC government attends to this landfill site, residents will not be exposed to respiratory disorders because of the municipality’s unethical practices.