Waste crisis reported

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The disgraceful state of the Graaff-Reinet Waste Transfer Station has been a cause of concern for residents almost since its inception, and the Graaff-Reinet Advertiser highlighted the issue once again as recently as last December.

Hon Vicky Knoetze, DA member of the EC Provincial Legislature and Shadow MEC: Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, has written to the Green Scorpions to report the conditions at the local site.

"It is in a deplorable state and is an absolute health hazard, as well as a safety risk for residents of the municipality", claimed Knoetze.

The Environmental Management Inspectorate, commonly known as the Green Scorpions, are government officials from national, provincial and local government, including the parks authorities, who are responsible for compliance and enforcement activities with environmental legislation. One of the three areas of interest is the environmental impact of pollution and waste, and this is clearly relevant to the issue of the Graaff-Reinet Waste Transfer Station.

Knoetze has requested that the Green Scorpions take steps against the municipality for allowing this environmental health situation to reach disastrous levels, in the hope that this will draw their attention to the seriousness of the health risk that this situation poses to the community, workers, the environment and SANParks.

At least one person has already died on the site when a concrete wall collapsed on her at the end of November. Knoetze made mention of the tons of rubbish that has piled up around the site, much of which has been blown into the area of the national park just across the busy N9.

"There are children playing in the garbage as there is no control or supervision over the site. It is only a matter of time before another life is lost," said Knoetze.

"Reports and pleas to the Dr. Beyers Naudé Municipality have fallen on deaf ears. No attempts are being made by the municipality to clean the site and implement proper control and supervision mechanisms," she concluded. The municipality has been approached for comment, but at the time of going to press, none had been received.

The Waste Transfer Station has been a thorn in residents' side since early last year - these photos were taken in June 2018 by local resident Philip de Wet