CERA raises alarm over toxic fumes from landfill

Residents of Clare Estate are once again raising the alarm over the hazardous conditions caused by the Bisasar Road Landfill Site, with mounting concern following a recent incident in which residents at a local old-age home reportedly experienced severe respiratory distress, allegedly due to noxious fumes emanating from the landfill.

Although no medical report has yet confirmed the direct link, community leaders claim that several elderly residents at the Clare Estate Senior Citizens Association (CESCA) Old Age Home struggled to breathe and had to be administered oxygen on-site.

This disturbing development has reignited longstanding grievances about the environmental and health risks posed by the landfill.

The Clare Estate Ratepayers Association (CERA), which has been advocating for the site’s closure for decades, says the situation is reaching a tipping point.

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“This dump site is releasing toxic chemicals into the air, contaminating our water and soil, and creating a serious public health crisis. Residents are reporting increased respiratory issues, and the risks to vulnerable groups, including the elderly and children, are undeniable,” the association stated in a recent memorandum.

Community outrage has intensified following revelations that the landfill continues to operate despite exceeding its original 30-year operational lifespan and multiple calls for its closure.

Residents accuse municipal officials of reneging on promises to rehabilitate the site and restore the surrounding area for recreational and community use.

According to an audit report cited by residents, the landfill was found to be in breach of permit conditions in 2024, particularly regarding carbon dioxide and methane gas emissions.

Despite this, the community alleges that the site was allowed to reopen without public consultation under a clause citing a lack of alternative sites. “This is a violation of our constitutional rights. We are entitled to a safe environment, clean air, and water. The authorities are failing us, and the consequences are now being felt across the community,” said a senior resident and long-time activist in the area.

In a separate incident, the principal of a nearby school, that is situated just over a kilometre away from the landfill, reportedly had to close the school early due to the overwhelming stench, with several pupils experiencing discomfort.

Municipal correspondence shows that a gas system on site was recently damaged, allegedly due to vandalism, and was only repaired days later, during which time residents suffered intensified odour and toxic exposure. Although the municipality claimed to have reactivated the odour control system, residents remain sceptical about its effectiveness and are demanding more accountability.

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“The odour was unbearable. We’ve repeatedly raised these issues with the dump management, but the feedback has been vague and inadequate. If this matter remains unresolved, we will take it to the South African Human Rights Commission,” said Krish Gounden, CEO of CESCA and a prominent voice in the campaign.

CERA is now demanding the immediate closure of the landfill, a full site remediation plan, and a comprehensive health impact assessment for affected residents. “We’ve had enough. This is not just a health hazard. It’s a betrayal of the people of Clare Estate,” the association declared.