Faeces, rubble and rats: Pinetown property used as a dump site

RESIDENTS of Ashley in Pinetown have expressed their frustration that the property, 20 Morrison Road in Ashley, is being used as a makeshift dumping site.

Residents have also claimed that the dumped rubbish has resulted in an infestation of rats and snakes which is affecting neighbours.

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People have been seen defecating in the property adding to the unhygienic state and workers have dumped rubble and old tar from road repairs on the property.

PR Councillor in Ashley, Mzamo Billy, said residents reported this matter to the municipality on 20 January, and have had no response.

“Today I met with members of the neighbourhood watch. They have informed me they have reported the matter to the municipality and they are in possession of a reference number,” he said.

“I will escalate this matter with the relevant department to ensure the rubbish is cleared and that the municipality locates the owner of the land so that it can be fenced properly to avoid people dumping there,” said Billy who made a shocking discovery on the property.

“Following the inspection that I conducted today, it was surprising and strange that much of the rubbish was actually confidential documentation belonging to SBV Services, Pinetown, showing cash delivery schedules and vehicles used.

Ralph Adair, who is a member of the neighbourhood watch, said he had already approached SBV management about this and they came to collect some of the rubbish promising to return.

“Other members of the community have complained about SBV employees dumping rubbish on the property.

“We urge the community to immediately report incidents of illegal dumping and provide all the details necessary so that the culprits can be prosecuted,” said Billy.

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The communication office at SBV Services released a statement: “SBV Services can confirm that small slips of paper were disposed in an open ground in Ashley, Pinetown. SBV confirms that these slips of paper are used as bank note separators and as markers and that they do not contain any confidential information.

“These small pieces of paper were disposed together with other rubbish in the municipal bins that are emptied out by the municipality on Wednesdays and Fridays. SBV Services investigated the matter as soon as they were made aware of this on Friday, 6 March 2020.

It was subsequently found that informal waste collectors had removed items from the bins and disposed of the rubbish in an open piece of land approximately one kilometre from the SBV premises.

“SBV employees cleared the waste over the weekend and processes have been changed to dispose these slips of paper with all other paper that is collected by a service provider that recycles paper disposed by the company.”

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