Life at Walvis Bay's dumpsite

Walvis Bay residents are growing increasingly frustrated with the town’s dumpsite, where thick black smoke rises daily from burning waste, leading to health problems and other issues.

The source: Tyres being set alight by dumpsite residents.

Since a recent visit by Walvis Bay mayor Johannes Shimbilinga and councillors, the burning has stopped – for now.

A daily snapshot of events at the site includes the entrance to the dumpsite, where the scene is tense and fast-moving. Men, their faces covered in balaclavas, run after trucks and bakkies as they arrive with loads of rubbish.

Each vehicle brings opportunity and risk.

Just last year, that risk turned fatal. A 25-year-old man died after attempting to jump onto one of the fast-moving trucks. He fell beneath its wheels and was declared dead at the scene.

Moving inside, the landscape shifts. Scattered waste stretches across the area, with plastic, paper and other waste materials strewn in piles. Between the heaps of rubbish, shacks have been erected.

About a thousand people now live at the dumpsite – officially referred to as a 'landfill site'.

Life at the site

For some, life at the dumpsite has become routine. When asked how she finds living there, one resident simply replied: “Just fine.”

The dumpsite has become a source of income for many.

One woman explained that she arrives early in the morning to collect plastic bottles before returning home to Kuisebmond.

“Many times, I’ve come here to collect plastic bottles to sell and feed my children, but then I arrive and those things have already been stolen,” she said.

On a good month, she earns between N$1 500 and N$2 000 –money that goes towards rent and feeding her children.

Others echo the same reality.

“It is out of our control. We are all trying to get something,” two residents said, referring to the dangerous rush when trucks arrive. “Usually we agree that only seven will be at the entrance, but when the truck arrives, everything changes.”

They admit they know it is forbidden – and dangerous – to jump onto the trucks, yet desperation or mere ignorance often overrides caution.

“That’s why most people get hurt while jumping on the trucks – because there are too many.”

The issue of burning tyres has also drawn attention. Dumpsite residents say they are aware of the problem and claim it has stopped.

“We agreed that no tyres will be taken to the scrapyard anymore, because if you are seen there, you will be fined.”

Despite the hazards, many say they have little choice.

“This is our hustle,” one resident explained. “My ghetto costs N$1 300 per month. I have a child who goes to school. At the end of the month, I have to pay for the taxi that takes the child to school and school fees as well.”

The situation has not gone unnoticed by authorities.

Mayor Shimbilinga, along with members of the council, visited the site recently to assess conditions and engage with those living there.

During the engagement, residents said they are aware that living at the site is illegal, as a portion of the land on which the landfill is situated falls within the Dorob National Park, managed by the environment and tourism ministry.

High-risk life

Amid the harsh conditions these residents live in, crime in the form of selling alcohol and drugs is rife.

A makeshift structure doubling as a shebeen has been set up. Police visits are also a regular occurrence, as domestic violence and fights are common.

Meanwhile, frustration among Walvis Bay residents continues to grow.

A revived petition addressing concerns at the dumpsite – among other issues – has gathered 4 641 signatures.

Walvis residents say they are also getting sick from the site’s pollution.

A resident from Hermes, a nearby suburb, said the recurring smoke has worsened their asthma.

“Just for the past two months, we’ve already gone through at least four to five asthma pumps between the two of us," the resident said.

"We’ve also used at least two controller inhalers. Normally, a reliever would last about two months, and a controller would last around three months," they added.

"Generally, our asthma is under control. In addition, I’ve also noticed that we continuously need sinus medication. Recently, we’ve started using prednisone, a steroid prescribed by our doctor to help with lung inflammation, which we now require regularly.”

Warning issued

The environment ministry has since issued a statement concerning the landfill site, stating that it has taken note of the ongoing concerns, particularly reports of tyre burning, which is producing harmful smoke and affecting air quality in nearby communities.

"The reported burning of tyres at the landfill is a regrettable incident that the ministry strongly condemns," the ministry said.

"Such activity releases dangerous pollutants into the air, posing serious health risks to both people and animals while significantly compromising air quality. The burning of tyres in or near towns is prohibited under environmental regulations."

The ministry added that it is also "concerned about reports of individuals settling in close proximity to the landfill.

"Living near landfill sites is strongly discouraged, as exposure to smoke, odours and other pollutants can have harmful effects on human health."

With the site falling outside the jurisdiction of the Walvis Bay municipality, it does not have the authority to evict individuals residing in the area.

The ministry said it has issued a compliance order to stop the dumping of waste at the landfill site and is now engaging relevant stakeholders on a process to de-proclaim the portion of the landfill that falls within the Dorob National Park.

"This will allow for full administrative control of the entire landfill site to be transferred to the Walvis Bay Municipality, enabling it to manage the facility in line with the Environmental Management Act of 2007."