Note to Editors: Please find the attached soundbites in English and Afrikaans by Dr Roy Jankielsohn MPL, DA Free State Provincial Leader. Please also click here, here, here and here for images.
After receiving many complaints from the local community regarding the dangers posed by the Dewetsdorp landfill and garbage dump site, the Democratic Alliance (DA) undertook an oversight visit to assess the situation first hand.
The oversight was carried out by the DA Free State Leader, Roy Jankielsohn, DA Free State Chairperson, Werner Horn, and Mangaung Councillor, Maryke Davies.
The DA oversight team were shocked by the vandalised multi-million rand infrastructure, polluted fields around the site and the lack of control by the Mangaung Metro-Municipality. Local farmers indicated that cattle grazing in fields close to the site die due to the intake of plastic and fires often spread from the site to neighbouring farms during the fire season. Councillor Davies has previously sent reports to the Mangaung Metro management about the situation in Dewetsdorp and a similar situation in Wepener.
It is clear that the amalgamation of Naledi Local Municipality with Mangaung, that incorporated these small towns into the Metro, was a political decision that did not accommodate the interests of local rural communities. These communities and residents continue to be treated with disrespect by the Metro, which is evidenced by the deteriorating infrastructure and general lack of all basic services.
Although there are many other issues that have been reported to the Metro, the DA have written to the MEC for the Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Mr Makalo Mohale, requesting intervention through the provincial environmental inspectors.
The DA will continue to fight for the rights of all residents in the Free State to live in communities that are environmentally safe, receive decent basic services and are aesthetically hospitable.