BAGS of litter which have been piling up near the Clermont Primary School have turned into a health hazard for the pupils and the staff.
People have turned the field, which was cleared to expand the playing area for the children, into an illegal dump.
Principal, Patience Thusi, said this nightmare started at the beginning of this year.
“In 2010, we asked the contractors that were renovating the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium to dump soil so that we could make a bigger field for our children. The Roads Department used to send a tractor to level the soil, but since the beginning of this year they have not sent one. People have now been dumping their rubble here, and it getting closer to the gates.”
Thusi said she feels that one day they will arrive at the school and the entrance will be blocked.
“I am most worried about the health issue – the school has 422 pupils and 21 staff. This has become a health hazard. This is a primary school and children could catch viruses from this rubbish.
“Besides the health issue, we can easily fall prey to criminals as they can use the dump as their hide-out. I am pleading with the perpetrators so stop dumping their litter next to the school,” said Thusi.
Ward 92 councillor, Bongani Mpungose, said he was aware of the problem and asked to meet with the Roads Department and Durban Solid Waste so that a solution could be found and the area cleared.
“I suggested to the school that they put up a boom gate with a key so that the trespassers will not be able to enter the premises, as the perpetrators dump their rubble when it gets dark,” he said.
DSW area cleansing officer, Amos Msomi, condemned the act of using a school premises as a dumping area.
“People who wants to dump their rubble can contact DSW on 031 322 3021. There are legal ways to get rid of refuse.
“They can contact us on 031 322 3021 or the landfill sites on 031 700 8929 and they will get assistance.”
