Joint clean-up kickstarts Overport Rescue Operation
The clean up involved six departments and emanated from an interdepartmental meeting held in February.
THE first project of the Overport Rescue Operation was initiated on Saturday 8 April when Councillor Hassan Haniff of ward 25 and Councilor Chris Pappas of ward 31 teamed up with municipal officials in a massive clean up of the area.
The clean up involved six departments and emanated from an interdepartmental meeting held in February. The initiative was driven by Councillor Haniff and Councillor Pappas in an attempt to uplift the Overport area which they said has been neglected over the years.
RELATED: Joint operation to clean up Whoonga Park
The operation involved officials from the Metro Police, Electricity Department, DSW, Parks Department, the Building Inspectorate, and the Health Department.
“We are extremely grateful for the professionalism and hard work shown by the municipal officials. We had a vision to bring the departments together to work as a collective to ensure effective and efficient service delivery,” said Councillor Pappas.
Councillor Haniff explained that the Overport area is spread over two wards (25 and 31) and that it was not an uncommon thing for the councillors of the two areas to work together.
“We are working towards the same vision of a safe, clean area that we can all be proud of,” he said.
RELATED: Partnership formed to clean up Umbilo
Residents were urged to help keep the area clean and to reduce the number of illegal dumping incidents that occur. Pappas said dumping cost the city R200-million a year, which could be better spent on other necessities.
“Councillors and officials spend tireless hours cleaning up after people who disregard the law and leave our community in a mess. We are getting tough on dumping,” warned Haniff who appealed to residents to put out their refuse on the correct collection day or face the possibility of a R5000 fine.
Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 060 532 5535.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
