The Democratic Alliance (DA) has escalated the lack of management at the De Duine Landfill site in Upington to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) after illegal fires at the dump site severely impacted on air quality.
Last night, the smoke from the dumps was so intense that residents couldn’t open their windows or use their air coolers.
Fires are being lit almost daily by people who are illegally occupying the land or accessing the landfill area. This is despite the presence of security and regular interventions by the fire department.
The repeated burning produces thick smoke that affects nearby residents, guest houses and road users on the N14. Visibility is often dangerously reduced, creating road-safety hazards and exposing communities to harmful toxic fumes.
Since 2023, the DA has raised this matter with the Dawid Kruiper municipality and the Northern Cape Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform, but the matter is still not addressed.
A further attempt to table a motion calling for action, has also been delayed due to the municipality not deeming this matter as urgent.
The situation currently poses a severe health and safety risk to the community and is violating people’s right to a clean and safe environment. The DA will not turn a blind eye to this hazard, like the municipality is doing, and will report the recurring fires to the SAHRC.
We will also keep pressure on Dawid Kruiper municipality to follow proper processes to evict illegal occupants from the land and demolish illegal structures around the landfill site, with the support of law enforcement. We also want the municipality to help empower garbage pickers by helping them link up with local recycling companies.
Residents deserve to live in an environment that presents opportunities and will not make them sick.