A local pastor in Louis Trichardt has been fined approximately R733 709, after the Makhado Municipality shut down his illegal recycling plant in Anderson Street.
For quiet some time, residents complained that the backyard operation had turned their once peaceful quiet suburb into a dumping ground. They spoke of snakes crawling out of the waste, unbearable smells, and fearing that their properties value was dropping. Municipal spokesperson, Mpho Rathando said closing the site was more than just shutting down one operation.
“This was about restoring order, protecting residents, and warning others that breaking the law has consequences,” he said. The pastor had never applied for rezoning, and officials said such a request would never have been approved because the property is zoned residential. Municipal manager, Kent Nemaname and his senior team went to the site themselves to oversee the closure.
The municipality said the fine is meant to send a strong message that lacking lawlessness won’t be tolerated.For neighbours who had been patient and living with the mess for so long, the closure finally brought some relief.
Sub-Editor:Thibela Thandeka
