The Ekurhuleni metro recently informed residents of the serious health implications caused by illegal dumping.
The metro’s health practitioners warned that wet garbage is a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes and attracts other unpleasant insects, including rats.
MMC or Health and Social Development Nomadlozi Nkosi urged residents to refrain from illegal dumping as it can be a breeding ground for diseases.
A certain amount of residents in Actonville have deterred from Nkosi’s call and have continued to dump in an open field on Prem Crescent.
A homeowner, who lives across the field, raised his concerns regarding the piles of garbage that is dumped on the site and explained that the illegal dumping activities had been ongoing for years.
As a result, he had to close off his door with a plank to block the rats running into his home.
Ward 29 councillor Imtiaz Loonat acknowledged the illegal dumping and called a meeting last year to address the issue.
He highlighted factors that contributed to the regular act of illegal dumping:
• Landlords in the area not providing their tenants with wheelie bins.
• Theft of the wheelie bins and residents not going to get another.
• Paying people to dump their garbage.
Residents suggested that a skip be placed in the open field.
Imtiaz raised his concerns as he believes that skip could potentially be stolen.
He added that he had visited shops around the area to educate the owners on the risks of illegal dumping.
Imtiaz reiterated that illegal dumping is done by residents in the area and is encouraging the community to try and stop the effects by starting clean up campaigns.
He also reminded residents to take out their dustbins on the scheduled day for collection.
Illegal dumping may be reported to the metro’s call centre on 086 054 3000 and a fine will be enforced on the transgressors.
To apply for another wheelie bin after it is stolen, residents are required to provide an affidavit stating how and when it was lost, an identity document, and a municipal account statement.
All the documents should be brought to the Benoni Solid Waste Department on 4 Golden Drive, Morehill for the bin to be replaced.
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