City of Ekurhuleni may have violated the National Environmental Management Act:
Dear Johannesburg
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng is extremely concerned that Section 30 of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) has been violated by the City of Ekurhuleni.
Last month a fire broke out at the Simmer and Jack landfill. In a reply to my written questions tabled in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, the MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Winifred Mosupyoe said the fire was started by reclaimers who were reclaiming recyclable waste on the working phase of the landfill.
The MEC further indicated that the fire incident falls within the provision of Section 30 NEMA incidents.
Section 30 of NEMA makes provision for incidents resulting from a major emission, fire or explosion that causes, has caused or may cause harm significant harm to the environment, human life or property.
However, the DA has been reliably informed that the City was warned that the conditions of the site were conducive for fires. The site was not compacted daily and it was about two weeks before the fire broke out on 8 September 2020.
In addition, we were informed that the site contractor did not have a vehicle to do the compaction and also did not have funds to repair the vehicles or get new ones. Furthermore, the contractor has been awaiting payment since July by the City of Ekurhuleni.
The DA believes that the Waste Management License (WML) was violated and that NEMA was transgressed.
The DA is now awaiting the report from the Green Scorpions about this incident and if it is found that the WML was violated and the NEMA transgressed we will ensure that those responsible are held to account.
Regards
Ina Cilliers MPL
DA Gauteng Spokesperson for Agriculture and Rural Development
Source: MyJHB
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