Municipality playing with fire?

MOKOPANE - The Mogalakwena Municipality’s failure to comply to certain compaction densities at the landfill site has resulted in a smoldering affair. 
Northern News visited the landfill site on Tuesday after receiving reports that it had ignighted and was smoldering. It seemed as if attempts have been made to smother the fire.
Further research found that environmental legislation states that “if landfilling is not carried out to sufficient high standards, landfilling has the potential to have an adverse impact on the environment and may have a short- and long term effect”. “This is especially concerning and poses a risk to the public’ health,” a land and livestock owner close to the site said.
Workers at the site and ward councilor, Marcelle Maritz, confirmed that fires do tend to break out from time to time and that it is sometimes difficult to get it under control.
The Mogalakwena municipality responded by stating that it is aware of the situation and that control measures are in place to suppress the burning (short- and long-term). They urged counsilors to follow proper communication channels in addressing issues affecting the municipality and consulting relevant officials to assist in addressing community concerns.