EDITOR – I have been helping to renovate a house in Harmelia.
While the renovations were in progress, truck loads of rubble accumulated in the front garden. Numerous offers were received to remove the rubble from local entrepreneurs with bakkies and trucks. The owner of the house made a decision to use one of these local businessmen. I asked the driver of the truck where they dump the rubble? I was told they dump at a site behind CTM.
I occasionally have a need to dump rubble as well, so I decided, unknown to them, to follow them, to see exactly where this dump site is.
After driving around Elandsfontein aimlessly, they realised I was following them, so they changed their route and headed to the dump in Primrose. Upon arrival at the weigh bridge at the Primrose dump site, they were told they were not allowed to dump mixed rubble there, so they had to leave, to go who knows where? Unfortunately, I could not continue following them.
If one looks around Edenvale at almost any vacant land, illegal dumping occurs as a result. The areas under the pylons are the worst these days and no action is taken by the local council, or police. We would all like to help support the local rubble removal entrepreneurs, but ultimately we as Edenvale residents are shooting ourselves in the foot by doing so. I would like to say the dump site should not be allowed to chase these people away. There must be a valid reason why this happens?
The rubble removal guys should possibly have some kind of permit that should be displayed in their vehicles. The permit might have information about illegal dumping and fines pertaining to this matter. This “permit” might encourage homeowners to only use legitimate rubble removers.
If this matter is not addressed soon, we will all be surrounded by, or living in, squatter camps.
Obviously I do not want to give details of the site where the rubble was removed, but who knows where it landed up eventually? I just hope this information is published, so that someone of authority can change the policy at the dump sites. I hope this makes a difference.
QUINTIN WILLIAMS.
EDITOR’S COMMENT – Spokesperson for the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM), Mr Samuel Modiba, commented as follows:
The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality wishes to inform residents that it has a mini-site and transfer station at Sebenza (Bhala Avenue) in Edenvale for compactable waste, this includes small branches, bags, garden refuse and household waste.
The reason for this is that compactable waste is transported to the nearest dumping site, which is the Simmer and Jack landfill site at the corner of Johan Rissik and Main Reef Road in Primrose, Germiston.
Rubble, branches, bags and household refuse are allowed at said dumping area (Simmer and Jack landfill site).
The Sebenza mini-site / transfer station is where compactable items can be dumped. The reason for this is that our transfer station is able to compact this refuse so that it will be able to be transported to the Simmer and Jack landfill site.
The facility is for the residents, but for instance, if one resident is off loading ten loads a day, or coming with a big truck to dispose of refuse, where will the other residents dump their refuse? The site is for the public.
Residents are allowed to dispose of refuse, at the most three times a day, limited to a one-ton bakkie.
Illegal dumping off loaders, when caught, face a fine or may be prosecuted by the EMPD. Fines and prosecutions will be determined by EMPD officials.
