Lukhanji municipality to try to contain smoke from tip fires

LUKHANJI Municipality has indicated that a refuse compactor, delivered to the municipal tip site on May 31, should assist in combating the air pollution emanating from the site.

The Rep has, since last year, fielded complaints from residents about the smoke emitted by fires on the tip which is seen as a health hazard to residents of Ezibeleni and nearby residential areas.

Lukhanji communications officer Gcobani Msindwana, reacting to queries from The Rep, said the municipality was aware of the complaints. Some of the challenges had been influenced by the unavailability of the machinery last month, when the contract for the use of the bulldozer expired.

“A compactor was delivered to the tip site on May 31 to cover all the refuse daily. We are in the process of acquiring a new compactor for the site and are waiting for the supply chain management (SCM) processes to unfold.”

He said the site was experiencing problems with scavengers as the surrounding fence had been blown down.

“We put the fires out during the day then the scavengers make fires at night. Currently we do not have a budget to replace the fence and we are in the process of engaging with the Department of Environmental Affairs for funding to assist us with it.”

He said the municipality would make a concerted effort to contain the fires and resultant smoke emanating from the tip.