Illegal waste dumping has turned what should be the Goedehoop Primary School entrance and pavement into a rubbish dump, posing a serious health risk to learners and staff, while also causing damage to the environment.
Staff, learners and visitors of the school are welcomed by heaps of trash next to the school perimeter fence on Abraham Foster Street.
The Advertiser visited the area and found the spot, piled high with all sorts of household and garden waste, including dirty disposable nappies, sanitary towels, condoms, food containers, clothing, rubble, pieces of furniture and plastic.
Nightmare situation
The school described the eyesore as a nightmare situation that is continuing to spiral out of control in the area.
A concerned teacher pointed out that dumping takes place daily and is much more likely to be some residents who have no regard for the environment and the risk the rubbish poses to the school children and staff.
Commenting on the matter, the school principal José Grotewold said despite their efforts to persuade authorities to clamp down on the nefarious practices, the problem persists. Unfortunately, people continue to illegally dump their waste on the school pavement.
“We have for many years been forced to bear the stench of the refuse and unhygienic conditions from the dumping ground.
“Our groundsmen regularly clean up the rubbish blocking the gate, but someone’s got to clean up all the piles of illegally dumped waste which have accumulated on the roadside next to the school.
“The spot has become a breeding ground for rats and a plague of flies and other vermin that swarm the school and nearby properties.”
Grotewold said learners had been warned to steer clear of the dumping site, as the waste is suspected to contain toxic substances.
New approach required
Ward 34 councillor Edith Klassen also added her voice to the situation, saying the practice has become a cause for concern in the township, which boasts dozens of illegal dumping locations.
Klassen said she is also aware of the situation outside the school and about nine other identified hot spots in Popcorn Valley.
She said the smelly mounds of rubbish have been reported to the waste management department. She pointed out that she and municipal officials have already been to the sites to assess the situation.
“The means to stop this have proved unsuccessful. Waste management workers regularly show up to clean the hot spots, including the school pavement, but despite the regular clean-ups, those who have no regard for the environment continue to dump their waste.
“Installing ‘no dumping’ signposts near known illegal dumping sites is also not helping to deter dumpers, and those signposts just get stolen or vandalised.
“We need to come up with new means, like transforming the hot spots into something else that will help deter people from using it as their dumping spot.”
Klassen added that to prevent illegal dumping, she and waste management contractors have addressed the most pressing problems impacting the removal of waste in the area.
“Contractors have committed to doing their best to ensure all bins are emptied every Friday.
The contractors have also agreed to collect waste in refuse bags for those whose bins have been stolen and are still awaiting replacement bins.
Klassen pointed out that most residents, including herself, are up against this public nuisance, but it’s unfortunate that to some people, littering seems harmless.
“I think it’s just a few residents who don’t care about the environment. It’s unfortunate because the consequences of their actions affect the whole community – and it is the future generations that will pay the price.
“People have to understand that apart from costing a lot to council and taxpayers, these piles of smelly dumpsite pose serious health hazards to the community. Everyone can help curb the fast-growing mounds of dumpsites poisoning our community.”
Long-standing problem
The Advertiser also previously reported on many dumping sites in Boksburg where vacant spots are being covered with litter.
These hazards are mostly found on vacant land, verges, roadsides and other areas, with others located next to residential properties and businesses.
Community leaders described the mountains of illegal dumping sites as a citywide disgrace that is costing taxpayers and the environment dearly.
Waste workers and concerned citizens regularly clean up affected areas, but dumped waste reappears almost immediately after the clean-ups.
It is also suspected the closure of some of the City’s landfill sites has given rise to this hazard.
Corrective measures
The metro has not yet responded to our request for comment on this problem.
However, illegal dumping was at the top of the list of the City’s Siyaqhuba Service Delivery programme last year.
During the City’s Siyaqhuba Service Delivery programme held in Thembisa in August, the metro said to eliminate illegal dumping; the City designed a fixed schedule for house-to-house collection of the waste once a week, and it also does frequent litter picking along the main routes.
“Ekurhuleni provides litter bins to residents, who can also apply for an additional bin if they notice that one is not enough for their refuse that is collected once a week.
“Meanwhile building, residents were urged to apply for bulk container services. This includes a skip bin that will be sent and collected from the address supplied. This will eliminate illegal dumping of the rumble,” said the metro in a statement.
These services can be applied for at any CCC or depot.
Also Read: Illegal dumping a cause for concern
