Entrance to Buffalo City Metro’s troubled Stoney Drift dumpsite has been closed.
Yesterday, BCM’s solid waste department issued a notice warning people to stop dumping at the site.
It states, “Failure to comply with this notice will result in action being taken against offenders”.
When the Daily Dispatch arrived at the scene yesterday morning, the entrance to the site had been barricaded with building rubble. More than 10 trucks that arrived to off-load were turned away and shown the notice by BCM staff.
A container serving as an office at site has been moved closer to the entrance to ensure no one enters.
However, the site manager, Anderson Ludidi said most illegal dumping happened after hours.
“We are only here from 8am to 4.30pm. We do not have control of what happens outside those hours,” said Ludidi, who pointed at building rubble and household waste dumped at the entrance, allegedly after hours. “When I knocked-off on Sunday there was no rubble.”
Ludidi alleged a gun was pointed at him when he refused to let an illegal dumper in. “If I feel my life is in danger, I will just let them in. I am not willing to die for this,” he said.
The chairman of the Stoney Drift and Amalinda ratepayers’ association, Anthony Gower, who was at the site to ensure people adhered to the notice, said BCM had taken a step in the right direction.
“Our plans to stage a protest by forming a human wall at the entrance has been prevented by a lot of red tape. However, we are glad this official notice has been issued. It serves as assurance that the metro has finally started hearing our plea,” said Gower.
People living near the site had for years requested that it be closed due to tip fires. A fire about two weeks ago sent clouds of toxic fumes over the city centre and surrounding areas.
The treasurer of the Stoney Drift and Amalinda ratepayers’ association, Gail van Rooyen said: “All we asking for is fresh air.”
Garry Rieger, who owns the Gonubie landfill site and runs it as a service provider for BCM, arrived at Stoney Drift. He said he had been asked by the metro to submit a proposal on what was needed to be done to fix the site, and a quote on what it would cost. “This site is the worst I have ever seen. It is a breeding ground for sickness.”
BCM did not respond to questions. The notice directs garden services to use the Roundhill landfill site. — arethal@dispatch.co.za
BCM shuts Stoney Drift dumpsite
Yesterday, BCM’s solid waste department issued a notice warning people to stop dumping at the site.
It states, “Failure to comply with this notice will result in action being taken against offenders”.
When the Daily Dispatch arrived at the scene yesterday morning, the entrance to the site had been barricaded with building rubble. More than 10 trucks that arrived to off-load were turned away and shown the notice by BCM staff.
A container serving as an office at site has been moved closer to the entrance to ensure no one enters.
However, the site manager, Anderson Ludidi said most illegal dumping happened after hours.
“We are only here from 8am to 4.30pm. We do not have control of what happens outside those hours,” said Ludidi, who pointed at building rubble and household waste dumped at the entrance, allegedly after hours. “When I knocked-off on Sunday there was no rubble.”
Ludidi alleged a gun was pointed at him when he refused to let an illegal dumper in. “If I feel my life is in danger, I will just let them in. I am not willing to die for this,” he said.
The chairman of the Stoney Drift and Amalinda ratepayers’ association, Anthony Gower, who was at the site to ensure people adhered to the notice, said BCM had taken a step in the right direction.
“Our plans to stage a protest by forming a human wall at the entrance has been prevented by a lot of red tape. However, we are glad this official notice has been issued. It serves as assurance that the metro has finally started hearing our plea,” said Gower.
People living near the site had for years requested that it be closed due to tip fires. A fire about two weeks ago sent clouds of toxic fumes over the city centre and surrounding areas.
The treasurer of the Stoney Drift and Amalinda ratepayers’ association, Gail van Rooyen said: “All we asking for is fresh air.”
Garry Rieger, who owns the Gonubie landfill site and runs it as a service provider for BCM, arrived at Stoney Drift. He said he had been asked by the metro to submit a proposal on what was needed to be done to fix the site, and a quote on what it would cost. “This site is the worst I have ever seen. It is a breeding ground for sickness.”
BCM did not respond to questions. The notice directs garden services to use the Roundhill landfill site. — arethal@dispatch.co.za
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