Waste management company Interwaste has been instructed to cease all disposal activities at the FG landfill site in Midrand.

The Green Scorpions issued the notice following an investigation into the malodour emanating from the landfill site. The odour was reported to have been affecting residents and animals in close proximity to the site.

The Department of Environmental Affairs said that following complaints, a criminal investigation was opened. Waste samples and documents associated with the site were taken and analysed last year and the investigation was completed.

The department said that the case has been referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions who will decide on whether or not to pursue a prosecution.

As the investigation was unfolding, the department said it requested that Interwaste conduct several specialist studies in order to quantify the risk of the emissions emanating from the site and its impact on residents and the surrounding environment.

An administration team was sent from the department to aid the company with this. The department said this process began earlier this month and that Interwaste had made several commitments to improve conditions at the site.

As an immediate intervention, Interwaste installed a 2 000m³ flare, which at the time, was proposed to be the solution for the malodour, however complaints were still being lodged with the department on an ongoing basis.

The department pointed out that not all of Interwaste’s commitments were being implemented. Thereafter, a fresh notice of intent requesting Interwaste to make further representations was issued in October 2016.

“Considering the representations that were put forward by the company, particularly the commitments made in the October 2016 representations, the department decided to issue Interwaste with a final directive dated 10 February 2017,” the department said in a statement.

Interwaste was instructed to cease all disposal activities at the FG landfill site within five working days from receipt of the directive, as well as to undertake certain specialist studies and submit specific information to the department within specific timeframes.

This matter has been escalated to the South Gauteng High court and will be heard in March.