Court calls a halt at stinky landfill

UPPER Highway residents, including those in Gillitts, Hillcrest, Plantations Estate and Assagay, were tired of breathing smelly air. Worse, they did not know what they were breathing in – was it toxic, or just smelly?

They complained of nausea, headaches and coughing, which they believed were caused by fumes from the nearby Shongweni landfill, operated by waste management company Enviroserv.

They grouped themselves on social media to share information and document their experiences.

The residents insisted that a possible toxic mix from the waste site was responsible and wanted an end to their smelly days.

In February, the national Department of Environmental Affairs issued Enviroserv with a notice of intention to suspend and/or revoke its waste management licence.

That followed an investigation by the Green Scorpions showed a significant increase in receipt of malodour and health-related complaints linked to the operations of the site.

Enviroserv said it was possibly responsible for the smell, but there were other companies or factors that could be contributors.

The company said the odour could be caused by hydrogen sulphide and organic sulphur compounds at the site.

Earlier this week, the Durban High Court ordered that Enviroserv temporarily cease operations pending the filing of more documents for court processes – a temporary win for the residents.

After the ruling, Dean Thompson, group chief executive of Enviroserv, said in a statement that hazardous waste would be transported to a site in Gauteng, and that general waste would be disposed of at local permitted municipal landfill sites.

He also said: “We are concerned the science regarding the problems at Shongweni landfill has been misunderstood.

“The risk now is that the communities may be further compromised by the closure decision and hazardous waste disposal experts fear the malodour will increase,” Thompson said.