Chaotic Kariega refuse tip closed down by farmers

While the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality scrambles for a solution for illegal dumping and chaos at the Hillwagt tip in Kariega, a group of emerging farmers has closed the site demanding it be transferred to a private operator or moved.

For months, irate Vanes Estate residents have complained about the municipality not clearing or maintaining the site.

This resulted in fumes causing respiratory problems.

Three weeks ago, an association of emerging farmers closed down the site by using soil to block the entrance gate.

They claimed constant fires at the site, which have led to several emergency responses, were a danger to their livestock.

Meanwhile, a report was tabled at a public health committee about a possible intervention on Monday.

That same day, another group of farmers reportedly cordoned off the gravel road that leads to the main gate with stones to try stop illegal dumping that had mushroomed outside the site.

The Hillwagt site along Verwoerd Drive was originally meant to be a garden refuse transfer site for Koedoeskloof.

According to the report tabled by public health executive director Sizwe Mvunelwa, the site has become the target of residents from informal settlements that cropped up west of the facility.

The two workers supported by expanded public works programme law enforcement participants could no longer stop or control entry after the concrete palisade fence had been damaged.

“They interfere with the public when they enter the site,” the report says.

“Currently, 70% of the waste disposed of at this site consists of business [50%] and residential [20%],”  the report continued.

Mvunelwa recommended the safety and security department be roped in for assistance while funding was sourced to repair the fencing.

The report was noted for a study to be conducted for a possible third-party operator.

In January, municipal spokesperson Mamela Ndamase said due to limited resources, the clearing of illegal dumping sites was done once a month.

At the time, she said law enforcement or peace officers had been deployed to monitor the site and ensure residents were disposing correctly.

On Tuesday, Ndamase said the plan was to start clearing the entrance of the gravel road on Friday and then proceed to the site.

“The municipality does not condone illegal dumping and the illegal closure of the road and site entrances.

“Perpetrators will be dealt with in accordance with municipal waste bylaws.”

Ward 51 councillor Roelf Basson said with the municipality admitting it could no longer afford to operate the transfer site, he supported the roping in of an alternative private partner.

“We have to explore a non-municipal management strategy but that will employ the people who are currently working at the site,” he said.

He said there was not enough demand to turn the site into a sustainable recycling operation.

Vanes Estate residents have been complaining for months about how vagrants have hijacked the site and turned it into a mafia-style operation.

Kariega Emerging Farmers’ Association chair Armand du Preez said the municipality either had to find a private operator for the transfer site or permanently close it down.

“Just 200m from that site, one of our members has about 200 sheep and goats in his kraal.

“Two months ago, a 30m fire was burning and this happens regularly.

“To protect our farmers’ health and our livestock I decided to close the entrance to the site,” he said.

The association includes farmers from KwaNobuhle, Lapland, Rooihoogte, Sandfontein and a portion of Ward 51.

Du Preez said he had been clearing the illegal dumping at his cost for about three years.

“I have been pleading for years but that has all fallen on deaf ears.”

For his troubles, Du Preez said, metro police had tried to fine him.

“Twice, municipal police were sent to my business to give me fines.

“I explained to them why we were closing it and showed the videos as proof and luckily both times they understood and did not give me fines.”

He said the association would not negotiate the opening of the site if the municipality operated it.

“I already told the councillor I will pile dirt at the entrance again.”

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