The City of Ekurhuleni has obtained a court order to halt operations at the Steel Sheeting Company based in Wadeville following complaints of unbearable stench caused by illegal recycling and manufacturing operations.The company buys recyclable plastic from waste collectors and then it washes and recycles that collected plastic turning it into plastic granules that can be used to manufacture plastic furniture.The procedure was initiated on 18 September 2020, wherein the officials from the City’s Environment Resources Department together with Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) and South African Revenue Services (SARS –Customs) raided the facility.The law enforcement officers further discovered inhumane working conditions, illegal recycling operations and almost 50 illegal immigrants conducting unlicensed plastic recycling operations.The court order also instructed the removal of machinery used to operate the facility. As such, EMPD had to remove all machinery in the premises. Meanwhile SARS officials found the company not to be registered with SARS.According to the City’s Divisional Head for Legislative Compliance in the Department of Environment Resources Thabang Mokoena, following the closure of the company, other relevant City departments will move in to complete other necessary enquiries and operations to fully exercise the court order.Furthermore, the City’s environmental inspectors will continue to inspect and monitor other companies with similar operations that are non-compliant with the City’s waste management by-laws and air quality legislation
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