On 31 October 2018 and 01 November 2018, experienced environmental consultants, assessed a situation reported by private sector businesses, community members, local emergency contractors, and other affected parties concerning the current waste disposal issues, and negative environmental issues associated with the illegal burning of all types of waste, at the Kathu waste disposal sites.
According to the findings of Anel Dannhauser and Angie Fotheringham from Fox Corporate Services, the unsafe and/or hazardous and potentially catastrophic situation at the Kathu industrial area, and the Deben landfill site, warrants the immediate enactment of procedures described in the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act 107 of 1998), Section 30.
It appears that, despite attempts to manage the escalating issues, the Gamagara local municipality, has lost control of the situation at the Kathu temporary waste transfer site in the Kathu industrial area, where smoke emissions from the persistent non-compliant burning, reportedly undertaken by the ‘pickers’, has given rise to serious health and safety concerns.
Ms Fotheringham questioned the absence of health and labour authorities in an environment where blatantly dangerous environmental conditions exist, and arise directly, from noncompliant waste disposal methods, compromising the constitutional right of every person who works in, or conducts business in the vicinity of, the fumes and black smoke.
Small children who live in the informal shacks, erected adjacent to the burning waste move around freely on the burning dumps, where garbage trucks and fire fighting vehicles drive in thick smoke. These children are at a height where they are not visible to the drivers.
Experienced environmental consultants who visited the sites, confirmed that “The situation is critical and should be regarded as an emergency situation, as described in NEMA, Section 30 – Sufficient evidence and/or motivation exist, and have been recorded, by the experienced environmental consultants, who inspected the site, and consulted with the affected and public agents.
Consultations with both provincial and local authorities, confirm that the current situation cannot be managed without urgent intervention and emergency support by the office of the MEC, enactment of emergency rectification procedures and a far-reaching public participation and waste awareness campaign.
Consultation with Gamagara Waste Manager, André Mostert, in Kathu, and procedural consideration by the environmental team, have delivered an immediate action plan, which is expected to be followed by a phased and consistent implementation plan, to address the immediate and critical requirements, as well as the sustainable long-term outcome of compliant solid waste disposal in Kathu.
Local fire teams, and waste disposal personnel have done a sterling job in trying to control the dismal status quo, but they cannot be expected to undertake the challenging tasks, without the necessary equipment and resources. Every person who contributes to solid waste production in Kathu, is expected to reduce waste streams and support local initiatives for recycling.
A proposed action plan and a call for intervention will be submitted to the applicable authorities, who are expected to assist with immediate rectification and future planning.
Local participation and cooperation from all sectors are crucial. The need for community support to public offices is critical to ensure that the objectives are achieved without prejudice.
Fox Corporate Services
