Children with disabilities are reportedly being placed on oxygen as toxic fumes from an illegal dumping site continue to engulf several Johannesburg communities, with residents allegedly enduring the pollution for five years.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has raised the alarm over the deteriorating environmental conditions in Lombardy West, Lombardy East, River Park and Alexandra, where illegal dumping and the burning of waste are allegedly exposing residents to serious health risks.
According to the party, what was once a green, undeveloped piece of land has been transformed into a smouldering mountain of waste, with trucks reportedly offloading as many as 20 loads of rubbish every hour.
The illegal dumping is also alleged to have caused extensive environmental damage along both banks of the Jukskei River.
DA Gauteng spokesperson for Environment, Leanne De Jager, has called on the City of Johannesburg to declare the situation a crisis and urgently implement a coordinated intervention involving multiple municipal departments, law enforcement agencies and the Gauteng Department of Environment.
De Jager said the continued exposure to smoke and potentially harmful fumes was particularly concerning for vulnerable residents, including children attending the nearby Sithandiwe Disabled Centre.
“It is unacceptable that residents, including children with disabilities, are forced to breathe in toxic fumes daily,” De Jager said.
She claimed that some children at the centre were now dependent on oxygen because of the fumes emanating from the dumping site.
The party further alleged that one resident suffering from asthma had become unable to leave his home and was dependent on oxygen, while a neighbour who previously had no reported health problems had developed a chest infection.
These health claims have not been independently verified, and no medical findings establishing a direct link between the reported illnesses and the dumping site were provided in the statement.
Beyond the health and environmental concerns, residents have reportedly raised fears about criminal activity linked to the dumping operations.
The DA alleged that an armed syndicate could be behind the illegal dumping activities, raising concerns about security in the surrounding neighbourhoods.
Residents are particularly worried about the site’s proximity to the Alexandra Power Station, which the party claims was vandalised two weeks ago, resulting in an electricity outage that lasted nearly a week.
However, the party did not provide evidence linking the alleged dumping syndicate to the vandalism at the power station.
De Jager said the DA would escalate the matter to the Gauteng Provincial Legislature by submitting questions to Gauteng MEC for Environment Ewan Botha.
The questions will seek clarity on what interventions the provincial department is implementing to assist the City of Johannesburg in addressing the alleged environmental damage and illegal dumping.
The party has also demanded stronger law enforcement action to stop the dumping and burning of waste in residential areas.
De Jager accused the municipality of failing to adequately protect affected communities and said residents deserved a government capable of responding promptly to reported illegal dumping.
“Service delivery is not a luxury; it is a fundamental right that residents pay for through their rates and taxes,” she said.
The DA also linked its criticism of the municipality to its campaign ahead of the 4 November vote, calling for political change in Johannesburg.
The allegations raise questions about the enforcement of environmental regulations, public health protections and the municipality’s ability to prevent illegal dumping near residential areas and critical infrastructure.
The City of Johannesburg and the Gauteng Department of Environment’s responses to the allegations were not included in the DA’s statement.
ENDS