SAHRC raises alarm over landfill sites in Mangaung

Staff Reporter

Bloemfontein – The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) in the Free State has raised alarm over the condition of two landfill sites in Mangaung.

This follows machinery challenges experienced at the Southern Landfill site by the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, which resulted in residents being urged to use the Northern Landfill site.

STEPUPSANEWS received complaints from residents and visited the landfill, where a fire was discovered burning at the site.

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Vincent Mahlatsi from Reco Mobile (Pty) Ltd said they were requested to assist in extinguishing the fire and that the municipality had dispatched only one truck to deal with the situation.

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A drive inside the landfill painted a devastating picture, with residents dumping waste while not wearing any protective gear.

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Among the vehicles seen dumping waste was a Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality (MMM) truck.

Vehicles were seen continuously driving in and dumping waste.

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Both the entry and exit points of the landfill were filled with waste.

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SAHRC Free State Commissioner Dr Henk Boshof said the Commission has already engaged the municipality regarding the matter.

“The SAHRC remains deeply concerned about the state and conditions at the two landfill sites.

The Commission has received a number of complaints and has been engaging with the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality while investigating these matters.

In terms of the Constitution, everyone has the right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or wellbeing. The current state of affairs is therefore a serious cause for concern.”

Nicolette Maysiels, acting spokesperson for Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality asked that we send questions we sent via WhatsApp on email.

We will go again in a month.

This is a developing story.

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