Kaunda vows ‘no anarchy’ at Buffelsdraai landfill site
eThekwini
Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda says the Buffelsdraai landfill site will not be allowed to
descend into anarchy.
The disposal area in Verulam was closed after a man was killed and 17 others hurt during a violent confrontation between waste pickers and security guards last week.
It's understood that people were scavenging for food, plastic and scrap metal before the shooting.
Eight people, including security guards, were arrested.
Kaunda alleges that some waste pickers used the site to sell and smoke drugs. But locals say they depend on the landfill to earn a living and that not being able to collect recyclable material has hurt their pockets.
The mayor visited the area on Wednesday.
READ: Buffelsdraai landfill site remains closed after mass shootingBuffelsdraai landfill site remains closed after mass shooting
"There is no zama zama operation that we will allow to take place at the landfill site. Our job is to guard it and make sure that no one is allowed carrying firearms.
“We also did not give our security guards toy or water guns, so when some residents bring out their firearms that shoot out live ammunition, our guards will defend themselves. We will not allow lawlessness to prevail.”
Meanwhile, a resident who witnessed the shooting told the mayor he saw defenceless people being attacked.
He said they wanted to know who gave the order to open fire on the group.
