Residents of Lilianton have complained about the air pollution caused by regular burning of waste material, including tyres in the open veld near Angelo informal settlement.
According to the metro spokesperson, Themba Gadebe, the matter has been referred to the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for the operation of an illegal dumping site.
Legal steps are currently being taking against the owner of the land.
“The municipality’s Environmental Health section has served a notice to the owner of the stand. The owners agreed to have all entrances to the premises blocked off with heaps of soil so that that nobody can enter the premises,” says Gadebe.
Gadebe says, during the week of February 24, the owner closed up all the entrances. The community, however, reopened the entrance and started to let the trucks dump again.
The owners again tried to close the road on March 17, but they were again threatened by the community.
“By closing off all entrances to the open pieces of ground the illegal business of burning tyres and selling the wire for scrap metal should stop,” states Gadebe.
According to the residents, they frequently notice thick black smoke ascended into the air, apparently from burning objects including tyres, rubbish and trees, from the open veld.
They say that almost every week, such burning will give rise to dark smoke emissions, which are a case of annoyance and are a significant source of harmful air pollutants.
According to residents, the burnings normally start at 6pm and add that smoke from the fire drift across the nearby suburbs, including Lilianton, and affects resident’s health.
If any burning is taking place, residents are urged to report the matter to the Ekurhuleni Emergency Services on 011 458 0911.
