Rietfontein landfill site to open after 14 months
by Tiaan Kotzé Cllr — DA Ekurhuleni Spokesperson on Environmental Resource and Waste Management
Date: 26 April 2024
Release: Immediate
The EFF/ANC Doomsday coalition under Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza and MMC for Environmental Resource and Waste Management Cllr Leshaka Manamela launched the long-awaited reopening of the Rietfontein Landfill site outside Kwa-Thema Springs. This landfill site has been closed for around 14 months leaving waste contractors, businesses and residents of the greater Springs area frustrated and economically penalised.
The closest alternative landfill site was Platkop landfill site South of Vosloorus which is 30 kilometres away. The fuel cost to businesses and residents became unnecessarily unaffordable and illegal dumping skyrocketed in the area, which will require extensive resources and time to clean up.
Rietfontein landfill site was closed in March of 2023 due to complaints, protests and a blockade from the local community of Kwa-Thema over issues of high truck volumes being diverted to the site, an unbearable stench in the air and health concerns. The closure of 3 other landfill sites during the same time meant that 60,000 tons of waste was entering Rietfontein instead of the average 20,000 tons per month. This was too much to adequately cover with a soil layer as is best practice and created a strong smell, especially after rainfall in the area.
While we applaud that the impasse between the City and the community has been resolved, it’s still astonishing that it took 14 months, with the site planned to be fully open to the public on the 1st of May 2024. The DA will continue to monitor progress in this regard.
The DA in Ekurhuleni further reiterates that Waste in the City should be tackled sustainably, with the DA’s Sustainable Waste Management motion as a guideline which the Council adopted in 2022. Waste Minimisation is paramount to its success while the public education around the Circle economy has to be enhanced and broadened. The remaining closed landfill sites of Weltevreden and Rooikraal have to be the priority now as well as a plan for air-fill space in the Northern Region of the City.
Media Enquiries
Tiaan Kotzé Cllr
DA Ekurhuleni Spokesperson on Environmental Resource and Waste Management
079 893 8404
