Illegal dumping raises concerns in Umbilo
Empty food tins, crushed glass and rubble were among the sizeable pile of refuse on the roadside.
ILLEGAL dumping on Regina Avenue in Umbilo has left residents at their wits’ end. Brian Keppler, an Umbilo resident, said piles of refuse are tainting the neighbourhood.
“We live in the area. The place stinks; there are rats. On a hot day, we have to wind our car windows up when we pass because of the smell,” he said.
He added that the refuse was degrading the look of the neighbourhood. “This needs to be cleaned up. I am sick and tired of living like this,” he said.
Keppler also raised concerns over broken glass in the road, saying he was concerned his vehicle tyres could be damaged. Berea Mail visited the site to inspect the refuse and found empty food tins, crushed glass and rubble among the sizeable pile of refuse on the roadside.
According to Keppler, the issue is a result of illegal dumping.
“This is all done by people in the area. A bakkie came down and started dumping. I tried to take down the number plate, but they drove off,” he said.
ALSO READ: Refuse concerns pile up in Glenwood
He added that there were people loitering in the area. Keppler said he had attempted to report the issue to the eThekwini Municipality but did not manage to get through.
“I called more than 40 times and only got through twice. I didn’t manage to report the issue as the call was cut,” he concluded.
The eThekwini Municipality was not available to comment on this issue at the time of going to press.
Widespread dumping
Illegal dumping has been an ongoing concern for residents across the Berea area. Berea Mail has reported on several cases of illegal dumping, including a few community clean-ups when residents took matters into their own hands. In January, residents expressed their concern as bags of refuse piled up on Lena Ahrens, Cato and JB Marks roads.
ALSO READ: Umbilo community tackles illegal dumping
In October 2022, residents raised health concerns about piles of rotting refuse along Che Guevara Road in Glenwood.
In September 2022, members of the Umbilo community cleaned up a section of Banshee Lane near Blake Road where rubble and waste, including human waste, were removed. In June, business owners on Woodford Grove in Morningside cleaned up a huge pile of rubbish that included scrap metal, used condoms, food containers, black dirt bags filled with more rubbish, and other odd bits and pieces.
Report dumping
Report illegal dumping to Cleansing and Solid Waste by calling the helpline on 031 311 8804/36 or DSW@durban.gov.za.
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