Rubbish piles high at Kenneth Gardens
Kenneth Gardens residents are angered that their garbage was not collected for more than a week.
REFUSE collection has faltered yet again at Kenneth Gardens in Umbilo where garbage has been left to pile up and rot, attracting flies, rats and scavengers looking for two-litre plastic bottles and anything worth saving.
For residents, the situation has reached unhealthy proportions and they are demanding something be done as a matter of urgency.
“I was told rubbish would only be removed at the end of the week, but it is piling up after not being collected for more than a week, and is bringing flies and rats to the area. It is ridiculous, we can’t be expected to live like this,” said one resident.
Another resident, Leonie Canham, said the situation would have actually been worse had one of the residents not taken it upon himself to take some of the garbage to the municipal dump. “When I phoned to find out what was going on, I was told someone would be sent to take it away, but nothing has been done. We can’t even cook with our doors open. There are terrible smells coming from the rubbish and there are rats and flies in it. Homeless people have also come to dig for 2l bottles, and have thrown the litter all over,” she said.
Canham said the residents had been ‘fighting’ with the housing department to have a skip but on the premises for the rubbish as there were not enough bins, but nothing had come of it.
“It’s just gone from bad to worse and nothing is happening. People are upset as they are paying their rent, but are told there is not enough money in the budget for services. We do not live here for free. I want the MEC for Health to get involved as this is a health hazard,” she said.
She said she was going to try meet with Yunus Sacoor from the Housing Department to determine a way forward.
eThekwini head of communications, Tozi Mthethwa said the matter was being attended to. “The cleaning, trimming of trees and removal of refuse disposal at Kenneth Gardens will be done on Monday, 2 June. The Municipality apologises for any inconvenience that has been caused and encourages residents to report illegal dumping and non-collection of refuse to 031 311 8804. For verge and grass maintenance residents can contact 031 201 1303.”
