Magalieskruin Garden Refuse Site to be temporarily closed to clear the backlog. Picture: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers
The City of Tshwane has extended the deadline for reopening Magalieskruin garden refuse site in Sinoville to December 11 owing to the high volume of waste which accumulated on-site during the municipal workers’ strike over salary increases.
The City had initially announced the temporary closure of the facility from November 17 in anticipation to reopen it on December 4.
However, the Environment and Agriculture Management Department could not clear and remove all the backlog as planned.
MMC for Environment and Agriculture Management, Ziyanda Zwane, advised residents that the refuse site located at Koorsboom Road will return to its normal operation on Monday.
“It should be noted that almost all the garden sites are currently overwhelmed as a result of the illegal strike,”Zwane said.
He requested residents and clients to use nearby landfill sites during this period to assist the process of clearing the backlog.
The City’s other operational landfill sites are in Bronkhorstspruit, Ga-Rankuwa, Soshanguve and Mamelodi.
“Residents and clients of garden refuse sites are urged to refrain from dumping waste on the parameters of the sites as this is regarded as an illegal dumping activity, which contravenes the City of Tshwane waste management bylaw,” Zwane said.
The penalty for illegal dumping as per the waste management bylaw is R5 000.
Meanwhile, the Environment and Agriculture Management Department recently hosted another successful mini-market day for small-holder and developing farmers at Tshwane House.
Zwane said: “Farmers from the seven regions of Tshwane showcased and sold their produce, including eggs, crocodile meat, fresh chickens, vegetables, nuts, bakers’ confectioneries, raw honey and natural baby food.”
The Market Day also featured the rural enterprises supported by my department, as well as collaborations with the Sector Development Support Section of the Economic Development and Spatial Planning Department.
“Market days raise awareness of the role played by small-holder and developing farmers in food security and poverty alleviation. They further aim to bring to the fore a variety of produce, fresh from the production centres as one of the many trading platforms this sector of farmers uses,”Zwane said.
He encouraged residents to support farming enterprises in their vicinity by buying locally produced products.
Pretoria News
rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za