DURBAN – A joint operation involving Msunduzi Municipality security, the South African Police Services and Magma Security lifted the lid on the extent of the problems at the New England Landfill Site.
This, after a supervisor at the site was on Thursday was allegedly found under the influence of alcohol and in possession of drugs.
The landfill site has been beset with problems for years and in 2020 there was a provincial cabinet resolution which called for drastic measures to be implemented in order to deal with the site.
In the past, Pietermaritzburg community members have complained about the fires at the site.
The municipality said in a statement on Thursday that it had conducted a joint operation with SAPS and private security company Magma Security to enforce the law at the New England Landfill.
“This is part of a programme to keep the landfill site safe and ensure its long life span through rehabilitation and maintenance,” said the municipality’s Ntobeko Mkhize.
She pointed out that the operation was aimed at addressing issues that contributed to a lot of unlawful incidents at the site, especially with regard to the activities of waste pickers.
However, the authorities were in for a shock when they came across a municipal employee who was allegedly found in possession of drugs.
“During the operation, authorities caught the supervisor of the landfill site drunk, and in possession of drugs (mandrax and whoonga),” Mkhize added.
Mkhize said the SAPS was handling the matter and that once a case number was issued by the police, the municipality would take the relevant disciplinary action against this employee.
“In order to ensure compliance, these joint operations will continue until everyone accessing the landfill site does so in accordance with the regulations enacted for the smooth operation of the site,” she concluded.