THE community of Kwa-Thema in Ekurhuleni had long voiced concerns about the bad smell coming from the landfill workface.
Ben Sokhela, a resident of Kwa-Thema Hostel, highlighted the issue of illegal dumping in the area, describing it as a "fire".
However, he believes the reopening of the Rietfontein Landfill Site on Tuesday, 23 April, will help to solve the illegal dumping problem.
"When Rietfontein Landfill Site was closed, people started dumping in every corner at the hostel. This created health hazards and sometimes you will find children playing near the rubbish," said Ben.
Another resident, Sipho Ngubeni, said the reopening of the dumping site will reduce illegal dumping.
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He said the smell is unbearable, especially in summer.
"Illegal dumping is a major issue here, with both residents and businesses contributing to the problem. In some instances, trucks owned by businesses are seen offloading their waste on vacant plots, transforming these areas into unofficial rubbish dumps. This attracts vermin and severely detracts from the cleanliness of our environment," Sipho said.
Another resident, Zukiswa Nkosi, urged the community to maintain a clean environment.
"We cannot stand by while people litter every open space. Offenders should face fines," she said.
On Tuesday, Ekurhuleni Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza said he was happy that the landfill site was reopened.
"Today is not merely about reopening a facility. It signifies a renewed dedication to sustainable waste management in Ekurhuleni. With this initiative, we are setting new standards and practices to ensure a sustainable future for all our landfill sites across the city," he said.Councillor Leshaka Manamela, MMC for environmental resources and waste management, said: "The reopening of this facility is a crucial step towards curbing illegal dumping in the area. It also provides community members with access to our recycling services, which will play a significant role in reducing litter throughout the region."
