A powerful coalition of Grahamstown businesses, institutions and high-profile individuals has turned to the courts to force Makana to comply with certain standards in managing the municipal dump.
A powerful coalition of Grahamstown businesses, institutions and high-profile individuals has turned to the courts to force Makana to comply with certain standards in managing the municipal dump.
The Makana Unity League, established on 14 May 2014, this week filed an application in the high court in Grahamstown to compel Makana Municipality to undertake 10 actions to improve conditions at the dump, and their effects on the town.
Documents accompanying the application (Grocott's Mail has a copy) detail a saga beginning in January 2013 of efforts by various individuals to have security problems, litter that blows into surrounding areas, thick smoke from fires at the dump and other health concerns addressed.
The facility is 3km outside the centre of Grahamstown on the Bedford/ Cradock Road, the R350. It abuts the Grahamstown Riding Club. Other outdoor sport clubs in the area are the Grahamstown Golf Club, and the Grahamstown Skydiving Club.
A large area of commonage opposite is also used for outdoor recreation, and beyond it is the army base.
The farmlands and private game reserves north of Grahamstown begin at that point.
Among the interventions was an inspection by the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism's Compliance and Enforcement section.
A compliance notice was served by the Department on Makana Municipality on 9 March this year.
This followed a site audit, the report on which was published in February 2015.
The audit report was prepared for the Makana Unity League by Grahamstown based EOH Coastal and Environmental Services.
This week's court application by the League is dated 21 July.
It names five respondents: Makana Municipality, the Makana Administrator, the Makana Mayor, the Makana Municipal Manager and the MEC for Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism in the Eastern Cape.
The attorneys are Wheeldon Rushmere & Cole and Makana has been given until 13 August to notify them if it intends opposing the application, which is due to be made on 18 August in the high court in Grahamstown.
The actions the application seeks to have the court compel Makana Municipality to undertake at or concerning the dump include:
* To refurbish the perimeter fence;
* Develop and implement a waste screening mechanism;
* Develop and implement a storm water management plan that includes arrangements for the correct treatment of waste water;
* Appoint an independent specialist to determine whether the site poses a threat to human or environmental health;
* Appoint an independent specialist to monitor the air quality of the site;
* Appoint an independent specialist to sample and test the ground and surface water in the area, and take remedial measures if it is contaminated;
* Appoint a specialist to monitor and analyse gas submissions and related air quality.
* Call a Council meeting to discuss the order and develop a management plan for the site.
For most of the actions, a 30-day deadline is given. The Makana Unity League, in court documents, describes itself as a non-political body that "seeks to create a force for greater accountability and effective management of Makana Municipality".
As part of this drive, the League states, the Grahamstown Municipal Disposal Site has been prioritised as being in need of urgent attention.
At the time of going to press no comment had yet been obtained from Makana Municipality.
