Attempts to clean river go down the drain

BUSINESS owners in Shepstone Road (Qashana Khuzwayo), New Germany said they are fed up with people dumping and polluting the river that runs along their business premises.

For some time now, residents and business owners have been cleaning the Palmiet River using money from their own pockets. However, but their work always end up down the drain as after a few weeks, the river is polluted again and no one seems to be meeting them halfway.

Illegal dumping, continuous river water pollution and waste being dumped into the river were among the issues frustrating the owners.

ALSO READ: Businessmen take a stand against pollution 

The businesses’ clean-up initiatives began in 2016 when they joined hands with residents to clear the unsightly rubble lying in the roads due to the Go!Durban construction.

At that time they had high hopes that things would change as the scrapyard in Shepstone Road, that used to operate in that area, had moved and the rubble had been cleared.

“Three years later, things are still the same,” business owner, Hennie Stadler, told the Highway Mail.

Stadler said the main problem are the people who are burning copper wires and recycling cardboard by first making it damp, using river water.

“Yes I understand that we all need to make a living and people are trying to earn an income but I believe that some sort of awareness or educational workshop on how to recycle correctly can make a huge difference,” he said.

Stadler said he has been working in the area for many years and what worries them the most is the long term effect this will have on the river.

“It is not only the individuals but there are other companies that are using this area as a dumping ground instead of disposing their waste in the correct manner. We have lost all hope and we are pleading to anyone or any department that can assist us to save our rivers,” he said.

Palmiet River Watch champion, Lee D’Eathe, said some business are under the impression that handing their trash over to someone else to dispose of is acceptable.

“It is not, and they must be held accountable for their waste which is being illegally dumped after the waste with value has been picked out. The authorities must take responsibility for the individuals operating under the bridge over the Palmiet River on the corner of Crompton Street and Shepstone Road who are stripping cables, burning plastic, trespassing and polluting the river,” said D’Eathe.

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