The community of Reiger Park took it upon themselves to clean an illegal dumpsite outside Goede Hoop Primary School on January 9.
Milly Ruiters, who was involved in the groundwork to clean the area, said the dumping poses a threat to school children and teachers.
“We engaged with the councillor and the City of Ekurhuleni several times about this and various other issues in our suburb. They make empty promises and tell us they will solve the issues in Reiger Park.
“They promised to clean this place, close the potholes, stop the cable theft – but these things have not happened.
“We marched for service delivery on October 28 and gave our councillor a memorandum, but things have not changed, and it seems they will never change,” said Ruiters.
She said they cleaned up the area because they don’t want learners to return once school opens on January 11 and be subjected to a filthy environment.
Marius de Vos, the councillor of Ward 32 and chairperson of the East Rand United Football Club, said the metro must return to the old way of placing skips in key areas to fight illegal dumping.
“I fail to understand why people are dumping rubbish here because waste trucks do come to collect in the area. I think the city has to take up the responsibility of educating people about illegal dumping,” said De Vos.
The councillor for Ward 34, Edith Klassen, commended the community for making it their responsibility to clean the area outside the school.
“I’m upset this area has remained such a mess. When I was appointed as councillor last year, I asked the Environmental Resource and Waste Management Department to clean the place and beautify it.
“We can’t have this outside a school. Learners are likely to get sick from the waste and the dumping is blocking the entrance.”
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