Glenhills resident takes a stand against offending dumpers
The irate resident reports a group of illegal dumpers, after catching them red-handed on Ryde Place.
DUMPING along Ryde Place in Glenhills has been a reoccurring frustration for local residents for many years. Building rubble as well as home refuse is a regular sight along the roadway. Warnings and pleas from local authorities have fallen on deaf ears. But now one resident said he has had enough.
On Sunday, 30 August, when Grant Cockburn, vice-chairman of the Mvoti Neighbourhood Watch, caught five men dumping building rubble at the site, he decided to intervene. The arrogance and total disregard of the men, he said, was the final straw. He now plans to take action in order to get offenders prosecuted.
“Every weekend I drive down to the Metro waste transfer station in Malacca Road in Greenwood Park. On Sunday afternoon while driving down Ryder Place, off Umhlanga Rocks Drive, I came across a driver and four men in a truck, they had reversed up against the side of the road, right opposite one of the no dumping signs, and were dumping building rubble, tiles and concrete on the side of the road. I stopped my vehicle and took a few photos and asked him what he was doing. The driver started his truck and drove past me, but he was forced to stop on the incline behind my vehicle, as the rubble was falling out of the back of his vehicle. I asked him why he was spoiling the beautiful green belt by dumping this rubble and why he was not taking it to Springfield Landfill Site. He responded by saying ‘It was only rubble and I must not worry’. I then took another photo as he closed the rear of his truck,” said Cockburn.
After the incident he decided to contact Durban Solid Waste (DSW) to report the issue. Via e-mail he has sent through the photographic evidence as well as an affidavit, which will enable the municipality to prosecute the offenders.
The irate resident said it was time that locals stood together and reported offenders. “We need to take ownership of our community. Each of us has got to take the initiative to protect our neighbourhood. I am personally getting tired of seeing our beautiful green belt being abused. Every time I drive down the road it gets worse and worse,” he said.
Not only is it aesthetically unpleasing and a health hazard, but it also effects the property rates and wildlife is the area, he added.
Related articles:
Council urges residents to report illegal dumping
Dumping spirals out of control in Redhill
