Question NW641 to the Ms J Edwards (DA) to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs
06 April 2017 - NW641
Steenkamp, Ms J to ask the Ms J Edwards (DA) to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs
(1) Whether she is aware of the dire situation at the Shongweni Landfill that has become a health hazard due to the unbearable stench; if so, (a) what were the findings of the Green Scorpions, following their inspection at the end of 2016, that were reported to her Department which issued a notice on 02 February 2017 to suspend or revoke the waste management license, (b) by what date must EnviroServ respond to this notice and (c) will her Department foot the hospital bill for the sick children and family members; (2) will the specified site be closed and be moved to an area where the negative impact on people’s health will be much less; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; and (3) (a) what is the long-term vision for this site given its proximity to people, (b) why was the problem not shared with the monitoring committee when she became aware of it and (c) will limestone be used to nullify the sulphur?
Reply:
(1) I am aware the of the complaints related to the Shongweni landfill site, and the health related aspects have been brought to my attention.
(a) The Green Scorpions findings relate to breaches in terms of the conditions of the Waste Management Licence. These findings were reported to the Chemicals and Waste Management that subsequently decided, on 02 February 2017, to issue a notice of intention to suspend and/or revoke the Waste Management Licence.
(b) EnviroServ provided an initial response to this notice of intention on 09 February 2017. Further representations have been received from Enviroserv, as well as representatives of the community and members of the community. In line with the requirements of the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act, EnviroServ had a final opportunity to make representations to the officials at Chemical and Waste Management on/before 27 March 2017.
(c) EnviroServ will be held accountable for any health related impacts that the community are experiencing as a result of the impacts from this site. As honourable Member should know, the process of determining negative impact caused by such, do take particular procedures prescribed by law and regulator.
(2) The decision whether or not to close and rehabilitate the site will be made by the Department as part of the decision making process related to whether or not to suspend and/or revoke the Waste Management Licence after evaluation of the representations made.
(3) (a) The Department envisions all landfill sites, not just Shongweni, operating in a manner that does not pose a risk or a nuisance to any of the people that reside in the vicinity of landfills or impact negatively on the environment.
(b) The matter was raised and dicussed with community members, and all the members of the Enviornmental Monitoring Commitee are aware of the matter. Several meetings have been held in this regard.
(c) Lime on its own will not resolve the issue. A combination of treatment and physical construction interventions will be required to resolve the problem.
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