BLOEMFONTEIN: Bloemfontein’s northern landfill site is a ticking environmental and social time bomb for residents, particularly those residing near this crime-ridden dumping site. The inability of the Mangaung Metro’s authorities to find a lasting solution has residents up in arms and demanding immediate action.
Gravely concerned residents voiced their frustration at a community meeting held at the Bloemfontein High School in Bayswater on Thursday, 21 August. A DA ward councillor called the community meeting to enable affected residents to voice their grave concerns pertaining to the negative impact on their lives. In attendance were officials who included Dr Thabang Thinda, head of the Department for Community Services at the Mangaung Metro.
The residents’ frustration was evident, as some of them threatened legal action against Mangaung to compel authorities to take decisive action regarding the landfill site. Residents bitterly lamented the persistent pollution of the air due to smoke caused by people burning waste for days, and illegal occupation around the landfill.
They described the symptoms of the problematic landfill. “We are suffering health problems such as lung issues due to smoke inhalation. The air pollution is immeasurable. We cannot breathe fresh air because of the persistent burning of waste by people having no regard for our lives.”
“We are unable to cope with such a health-hazardous environment, which the municipal authorities are responsible for. “
“Our need to buy air freshener products adds to the unreasonable bills for rates and taxes, as well as refuse collection,” said a resident.
Another resident mentioned that the problematic landfill also impacts the value of their properties.
“We are unable to sell and even rent out our properties, simply because people do not want to live in a hazardous environment.”
“Even businesses on the northern side are affected by the ongoing problems of the landfill. The last resort for everyone is to disinvest from the city of Bloemfontein because of the metro authority’s failure to improve the conditions.”
“There is no value for the money we pay for all services the Mangaung Metro is offering,” said another resident, who is in the property business.
The meeting added to the voices raised regarding the municipality’s lack of action.
Almost three years ago, the metro authority promised to completely shut down the landfill site, but this has come to nothing. Thinda’s explanation that the metro authority is in the process of applying for a high court eviction order to remove “illegal” dwellers, was met with dismay. He explained that the challenge centered around the landfill was due to population growth and rapid urbanisation contributing to an increase in waste generation.
“That is shocking to hear − that the metro authority must first apply to court to evict people illegally occupying the landfill, which is a property of the municipality. This, while we residents, paying for services, must continue to suffer,” said an angry resident.
An AfriForum audit of 2019 on landfills in the Free State revealed that none of the 20 landfill sites had adhered to national standards. In terms of applicable legislation and regulations, including the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, a landfill site must adhere to particular standards.
The audit flagged a serious lack of waste management licences, medical waste that was illegally dumped on the landfill site, as well as poor control and management of the sites as some of the biggest problems.
