The FF Plus lodged a complaint with the Green Scorpions about Aberdeen’s unregulated landfill which is creating serious health problems for the area’s residents.
Just like the provincial road from the N9 to Aberdeen and the landfill’s access route, the neglected dumping site itself is in a terrible and dilapidated condition.
The FF Plus has brought these problems to the attention of the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality several times, but to no avail.
The party has been receiving many complaints about the poor waste management at the Aberdeen landfill and elsewhere in the municipal area since the end of last year.
Clearly, the Municipality is not serious about fulfilling its duties regarding maintaining and rehabilitating dumping sites.
As far as Aberdeen is concerned, there are several environmental issues and health risks raising concern.
The greatest cause for concern is that the borehole which supplies most of Aberdeen’s potable water is located a mere 80 m from the landfill site. The site is also right next to the Kraai River which runs through town.
This water is no doubt polluted by chemicals, other toxic substances and pollutants which leach into the underground water and the river.
Household, agricultural and industrial waste dumped at the site attract free-roaming animals, such as dogs, pigs and cattle. There are also many homeless people who generate an income from recyclable waste living there.
The loose garbage, which is not being compacted, is blown all around the area by the wind, while fires start and hazardous gases are blown across the town’s residential areas.
If the situation is not addressed soon, the party will also lodge a criminal complaint against the Municipal Manager, Dr Eddie Rankwana, in terms of the National Environmental Management Act.
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