The City of Johannesburg’s MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services Department (EISD) Cllr Michael Sun remains committed to the formation of a steering committee that will specifically address the challenges faced by the residents and business community in and around Kya Sands.

The MMC said this during an oversight visit to Kya Sands, where he met the residents at the Frank R Thorold Library and Art Centre on 44 Orleans Road yesterday morning, 16 February 2022.

The MMC was accompanied by MMC for Development and Planning Cllr Belinda Echeozonjoku, MMC for Health and Social Development Cllr Franco de Lange, Section 79 Committee for EISD Chairperson, Cllr. Lerato Ngobeni and Ward Councillor Devon Steenkamp. The EISD’s management team led by Executive Director Tiaan Ehlers also brought his team of EISD environmental experts, as well as the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), South African Police Services. The City’s service delivery entities City Power, Pikitup and Johannesburg Water representatives also joined the MMC.

The visit was a follow up to an earlier community outreach programme visit by the MMC in January, where residents gave details of the challenges that required the City’s intervention. These included land invasion, vandalism and crime and illegal dumping, among the issues that have become a growing problem in the area. So bad is the problem that some of the businesses have been forced to shut down and move, causing hundreds of job losses.

The MMCs and the officials took a tour of the area and to different spots where illegal dumping is rife. Whilst on site, the JMPD and SAPS stopped two trucks illegally dumping waste, and citations were issued to the drivers.

The MMC said that the City is committed to delivering quality services and addressing their challenges, and through the steering committee all challenges will be dealt with.

“We cannot keep coming here to hold meetings and listen to residents’ complaints. It’s time for us to walk the talk and tackle the issues head-on,” said the MMC. He assured the residents that the steering committee and its work are on track with the following immediate tangible deliverable set on the agenda:

1. Intensified enforcement on illegal dumping and prosecution of the business operators dumping illegally.
2. Working with affected landowners to secure vacant land used for illegal dumping.
3. Clamping down on unwanted persons burning refuse or plastic and causing air pollution.
4. Investigation of landowners/operators illegally processing and incinerating medical waste. 

EISD’s Tiaan Ehlers said some of the biggest problems in the area is air pollution, which is caused by illegal dumping of material such as medical waste in the area, which is becoming a landfill on a privately owned property. Theft and vandalism are also on the increase, and the City is on a mission to reclaim its glory and put an end to all that.

He detailed the plan and execution for the new steering committee, which will be made up of local stakeholders from business, security cluster and members of the community.

“We will also involve stakeholders such as social development and an all-inclusive waste management sector to assist the steering committee,” said Tiaan.
Issued by:

CLLR. MICHAEL SUN
MMC: ENVIRONMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES DEPARTMENT
0828229340

17/02/2022