Picture: Alleged illegal scrapyard in Brixton/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
3 February 2026- Brixton residents’ health is put at risk daily due to the deteriorating environment. This comes after the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng made this startling discovery during a recent oversight inspection of one of the affected streets.
According to the DA Gauteng Spokesperson for Environmental Affairs and Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL) in Gauteng Provincial Legislature, Leanne De Jager, the residents in the area face multiple challenges, including sewage overflowing onto streets due to overburdened infrastructure and increased vermin infestation. De Jager said residents should not have to endure untreated sewage flowing through their streets.
“This represents a fundamental failure of enforcement and coordination among responsible authorities. Furthermore, illegal businesses are operating, such as scrap metal operations in residential zones. These activities have attracted criminal elements, leading to metal theft and a general atmosphere of lawlessness that endangers law-abiding residents and devalues their property.
“The DA in Gauteng demands immediate, coordinated joint operations between the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) to clamp down on crime in the area. Yes, this can be done under a DA-led Gauteng provincial government. We would conduct regular law enforcement inspections, and businesses operating illegally would be closed immediately,” she said.
De Jager further said they would accelerate sewage infrastructure upgrades and deploy additional environmental health officers and law enforcement personnel. She added that the people of Brixton deserve a safe, clean and healthy environment.
“We will continue engaging all stakeholders to resolve this crisis urgently,” said De Jager.
The Guardian 