6 days ago
Historic Fochville site in danger as illegal dumping continues despite community pleas
The once-scenic veld behind the Gert van Rensburg Stadium in Fochville, Gauteng, is now an unofficial dumping ground, sparking outrage among residents. Despite multiple reports and pleas from the community, the Merafong City Local Municipality has yet to take any meaningful action.
The area, known for its quiet beauty and cultural significance, contains the ruins of ancient Sotho-Tswana settlements, which date back over 300 years. According to research conducted by archaeologist Mark Steven Anderson in his 2009 doctoral thesis at the University of Cape Town, this region was home to a thriving community that farmed, herded cattle, and accepted refugees during a turbulent period of Southern African history.
However, this vital piece of South Africa's pre-colonial heritage is now being buried beneath piles of building rubble and household waste. Shockingly, eyewitnesses have previously reported municipal vehicles contributing to the illegal dumping.
'We have asked the municipality so many times to help, but have given up because they just don't seem to want to do anything about the problem,' said Corne van der Merwe, a concerned resident. Another local, Johan Knell, highlighted the tragic irony: 'By the looks of it, thousands of people stayed here hundreds of years ago, and now no one seems to care.'
Despite being made aware of the issue last year, and again recently, the Merafong City Local Municipality has not erected 'No Dumping' signs, fenced off the area, nor enforced any waste management bylaws. Calls and queries by the local media continue to go unanswered.
Environmental degradation, public health concerns, and the irreversible loss of cultural heritage now hang in the balance.
Why This Matters
The site reflects the legacy of the Sotho-Tswana people, who lived in the area until the 1820s.
It holds archaeological significance as a potential educational and tourism asset.
Its current state could result in the permanent loss of historical artefacts and cultural knowledge.
What needs to happen
Residents are urging:
Immediate clean-up of the site.
Installation of no-dumping signs and surveillance.
Intervention from the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) or relevant government departments.
Recognition of the area as a protected heritage site.
Until such measures are taken, the community fears that a unique piece of South Africa's history may be lost forever under heaps of waste.
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
