Residents of Rietfontein in Mogale City are facing serious health and environmental hazards due to ongoing environmental degradation on a property owned by the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport (GPDRT). This property, located on provincial land, has deteriorated into an illegal dumpsite where waste is openly disposed of and burned. The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng demands urgent action from the Gauteng Department of Environment to stop ongoing dumping and burning and enforce compliance with regulations.
Earlier this year, following complaints from DA Councillor Shennan Cochrane and residents, DA representatives from the Environment portfolio conducted an oversight visit to the site. Owing to the DA’s persistence and formal reporting of the matter to the Gauteng Department of Environment, the department initiated an investigation into the unlawful activities occurring on the property.
Environmental Management Inspectors from the Gauteng Department of Environment and Mogale City subsequently confirmed serious environmental violations, including illegal dumping, open burning, and a complete lack of access control. The Gauteng Department of Environment issued an enforcement action, instructing the GPDRT to stop unlawful activities and rehabilitate the site.
A final directive was issued to GPDRT on 28 October 2025, requiring the department to prohibit dumping, burning, and recycling of waste on the property, and to submit a Waste Impact Report or Rehabilitation Plan within 30 days. The GPDRT has failed to fulfil any of the requirements outlined in the final directive. Consequently, the Department of Environment has confirmed that the process for referring the case for criminal prosecution is now underway.
This situation highlights a deep collapse of accountability within the Gauteng government. If provincial departments cannot comply with environmental legislation or manage their own land, how can they be trusted to protect the environment, enforce the law, or safeguard the safety and dignity of residents across the province?
Gauteng residents deserve a government that upholds its own laws and prioritises their health and safety. A DA-led Gauteng Provincial Government would have enforced environmental legislation to prevent illegal dumping and burning on this land, which poses a danger to residents in the surrounding area.
The DA will continue to pursue accountability and demand urgent rehabilitation and monitoring of the Rietfontein site. We will also monitor the developments regarding the proffered criminal prosecution against the GPDRT, expecting that those responsible for the Rietfontein saga will be held fully accountable.