KARIEGA – Unfenced, unmanned and neglected; that has been the reality at the Hillwagt Transfer Site over the past year.
The municipal-owned facility has now been closed by the Emerging Farmers’ Association, citing escalating safety risks, environmental damage and a sustained lack of operational control.
In a notice circulated to members, Emerging Farmers’ Association chairperson Armand du Preez confirmed the decision and warned against ongoing illegal dumping. “Illegal dumping at the site will not be tolerated. Offenders will be reported and may face fines of up to R2,000,” he stated.
The closure follows months of complaints from residents and repeated oversight visits by Ward 51 councillor Roelf Basson, who has raised concerns about illegal dumping, uncontrolled fires and the absence of effective municipal management.
Basson said the site, originally designated for garden refuse, has been widely misused. “People are dumping building rubble and household waste, often at night when the site is unmanned and easily accessible,” he said.
Despite limited security presence during the day, access control has deteriorated. A private security guard confirmed the site is monitored until 18:00, but barriers intended to restrict entry were stolen, leaving the area exposed.
Du Preez said the closure followed repeated incidents of non-compliance. “Someone was seen dumping waste, which was shared in the farmers’ group. I passed it on to our town ranger, who will impose a fine of up to R2,000 for illegal dumping,” he said.
He added that the issue extends beyond enforcement. “We need to cultivate love again for our town. We must look after the land properly, especially as we are farming on public land,” he said.
Residents living near Verwoerd Drive have reported to their Ward Councillor persistent smoke from waste being burned on-site. Basson said the fires, which occur daily, pose serious health risks. “The refuse is burned out every day and causes a permanent smoke smell to hang over the residential area,” he said.
He added that the site has also become a gathering point for individuals collecting recyclable materials, further complicating safety and access control.
In recent correspondence to municipal officials, Basson said he had been engaging the Public Health Department for more than 10 days without resolution. “The situation has only deteriorated and become extremely dangerous,” he said.
He noted that previous attempts to stabilise operations failed after municipal staff withdrew from the site following the discovery of a body, which led to further instability.
DA Public Health Committee whip Mthokozisi Nkosi, who conducted independent site visits over three days, described a collapse in operational control. He reported that waste collection services had not been carried out for weeks, with waste instead being burned on-site. “Without a concrete strategy to regain control, further clean-up efforts remain ineffective,” Nkosi said.
The Emerging Farmers’ Association, whose grazing land is directly affected, has closed access to protect livestock and limit further environmental degradation.
Basson warned that continued inaction could place the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality in breach of the National Environmental Management Act (Act 107 of 1998), which requires reasonable measures to prevent pollution. “At this rate we are going to lose lives and the Metro will be held responsible,” he said.
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality spokesperson Sithembiso Soyaya has confirmed to UD Express that the tip site remains under municipal ownership. However, several other key questions regarding the matter remained unanswered at the time of going to print.
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