The end of 2022 was difficult for many residents across the city as they faced service delivery issues.

ALSO READ: Ekurhuleni councillors bestowed alderman’s status in Germiston

A matter of great concern for the community was that of residential refuse collection, an issue that rocked the city for months because the city failed to clear the backlog created.

This January residents returned from their festive holidays only to be met with filthy streets and illegal dumping.

Heather Gordon of Primrose said the illegal dumping hot spots mushroomed across the town and have worsened since the holidays.

“Dumping alongside Cemetery Road is getting out of hand. This is a popular dumping spot and this will not stop until trees are pruned, knee-high weeds in gutters are removed and the grass is cut,” said Gordon.

“The Primrose area appears to be imploding. Tees are no longer pruned and as a result overhead wires have been damaged during storms and twice in six weeks, five homes have been without power because of this.

ALSO READ: Illegal dumping poses health threat to Germiston residents

“There are dangerous potholes on the roads, street names are non-existent, refuse collection now occurs every two or three weeks and litter along roads is irregularly cleaned.

“It is such a pity as this suburb once had such a sound infrastructure.

“The area outside of the cemetery is a disgrace and the state of the small garden at the entrance deplorable.

“I cannot help but compare the maintenance of the Edenvale Cemetery to that of Primrose, the area outside the Edenvale Cemetery is cleaned and respectfully maintained.

“I repeat my request from years ago to have this problem attended to,” said Gordon.

The Primrose Ratepayers Association (PRA) has voiced its concerns on the issue of illegal dumping across Primrose.

The association and local other stakeholders have waged a war against illegal dumping saying that it is the owners’ responsibility to provide households and businesses with bins for refuse that gets collected weekly.

ALSO READ: Update: Rand Water reports on Wychwood water leak

David-Hutch Barr of the Primrose PRA committee said the PRA called on the community to stand up against illegal dumping and work together to keep the streets clean.

“Should you see anyone dumping take a picture of them and report to the councillor in charge of that ward,” said David.

“Previously, different stakeholders and volunteers assisted with the clean-up of the cemetery in Primrose on Wychwood Road opposite Primrose High.

“We went block by block and start cleaning where the municipality is failing us,” said David.

The GCN sent a request for comment to the City of Ekurhuleni on January 13, requesting comment by January 16 at 09:00.