Littering continues in Joburg streets

I was most annoyed to read councillor Peter Stewart’s letter in the Southern Courier of October 8.

The streets are full of rubbish and the City council of Johannesburg has done nothing to stop the problem or to find a solution to prevent litter. A lot of people do not have refuse bins and the council does not allow people to buy their own bins; they have to be supplied by the council.

Black garbage bags are not removed by Pikitup either, and there are no council skips in problem areas like Turffontein, Kenilworth, Rosettenville, etc.

Stewart states the following, “Nobody will come and pick the rubbish up for you.” I would like to know why there are street cleaners in selected areas of Johannesburg.

As for his remark that, “The City has greater needs to provide in delivering normal services to communities, such as electricity, water, roads, etc.” The residents of Johannesburg are paying for electricity, water and for services!

The councillors in the City of Johannesburg are not able to keep a city clean; did they really expect people to vote for their parties in the national elections?

Unless the councillors change their mindset and start providing basic services like clean streets, good roads, etc., they will be out in the next council elections as residents are gatvol.

Annoyed resident

Response from councillor Peter Stewart

It is not true that the City is not doing anything to prevent littering. There is a dedicated JMPD report line 073 484 1733 to report littering and illegal dumping.

If residents send photos and details of the transgressor he/she will be traced and fined from R1 500 to R10 000 depending on the severity of the actions.

The only reason why bins can only be obtained from council currently is the compatibility to the removal trucks mechanisms. If you can purchase a bin privately that is compatible to the trucks’ lifting mechanisms then I cannot see why you can’t purchase it privately.

Residents in these areas can petition the City for skips at designated points if this is a necessity and if they participate in the IDP processes it could be put as a requirement for the area.

Cleaners are designated around park areas clearing street bins. The budgetary constraints unfortunately limit the City to employ more people, but it’s the public’s attitude to indiscriminate littering that is the cause of the problem by merely dumping a sweet wrapping or potato chips packet in the street instead of a bin.

Yes, we pay for these services and not for illegal/indiscriminate dumping and monies have to be diverted from these essential services to the removal of rubbish which is avoidable by a mere change of behaviour.

The author said, “Unless the councillors change their mindset and start providing basic services like clean streets, good roads, etc., they will be out in the next council elections as residents are gatvol.” Really! Councillors to keep the City clean; already here is a behavioural and attitude problem which should does not qualify for comment.