Local conservationist concerned with ongoing illegal dumping near Witkoppen Road

A concerned conservationist and Paulshof resident, Chantal Nativel has urged community members to report illegal dumping taking place in the area.

This after polystyrene packaging and bags of broken tiles were found dumped next to a low-lying bridge on Witkoppen Road in Paulshof by a security company that patrols the area.

Nativel said this illegal dumping on the banks of Braamfontein Spruit River would have negative effects to the environment and to water species in the area. “We need to have our community eyes on dumping in order to win this war of illegal dumping. This is every community member’s issue.

“People don’t seem to realise that throwing things into the rivers cause huge storm surges when debris accumulates against the bridges. This endangers everyone when bridges are flooding.

“What ever gets dumped in our storm water drains has the same effect. It lands in the river.”

She added that it costs the City which ultimately costs the communities. “To give you an idea of what lands into the river, this last Saturday we pulled out a shopping trolley, a car engine sump, carpets, a toilet seat, clothing, a carry bag, many plastic bags in all shapes and about 30m of cabling during our recent cleaning campaign in Braamfontein Spruit River.”

Nativel encouraged residents to report illegal dumping incidents. “I urge residents to report these people who show no regard for our environment. They must take clear photos of the illegal dumping as well as the number plate of the vehicle, then send these pictures together with the date, time and location of the illegal dumping to the Anti-illegal Dumping [hotline] at 082 779 1361.”