AfriForum is putting pressure on the Ekurhuleni Municipality to urgently reopen the Rietfontein landfill site in Springs and the Rooikraal landfill site in Boksburg, which have been closed since January 2021.
AfriForum instructed its law firm, Hurter & Spies Inc. in April to send a letter of demand to the municipality regarding this matter. The letter requested the municipality to provide answers and an action plan about the closure of the landfill sites and when the problem was going to be solved. The municipality reacted in a letter on 7 May 2021, explaining that the municipality is experiencing challenges in appointing a new service provider. This follows after the previous service provider’s short term contract had expired. The tender process is currently in the advertising phase and the municipality plans on appointing the new service provider at the end of June 2021.
The closing of the landfill sites had a huge impact on the refuse removal backlog in the respective areas and the smaller sites such as Daggafontein in Springs, which is filled to capacity – leading to the dumping of refuse outside the site.
Dewet Ungerer, AfriForum’s district coordinator for the East Rand, says the civil rights organisation will continue to monitor the situation closely until the landfill sites are fully operational.
“AfriForum welcomes the municipality’s reply and action plan, but the progress of appointing a new service provider will be monitored to ensure that residents receive the services they are paying for as soon as possible,” says Ungerer.
Make a difference in your community by joining your local AfriForum branch today: SMS your name to 45342 (R1).