ILLEGAL dumping along Roadhouse Crescent, near Buttery Road has escalated at an alarming rate in the last few months, said Durban North ward councillor, Shaun Ryley. What is more, the illegal dumping is taking place just metres away from a dump site, albeit a garden refuse site.
According to Ryley, the illegal dumping spiraled out of control after cardboard collectors, who had initially set-up an informal base on Riverside Road were moved by Metro Police and pressure from uMgeni Park residents.
The section where the cardboard collectors have now set up operations is just below Connaught Bridge. The men collect stacks of cardboard boxes, soak them in municipal bins filled with water and then bundle them together to earn money.
When Northglen News visited the area with Ryley last week, we saw more than 15 traders soaking boxes in bins.
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“Unfortunately this has been the catalyst for the illegal dumping. I’ve noticed hundreds of pieces of construction rubble littering the sidewalk on Roadhouse Crescent that it is virtually impossible to walk on. While not all the dumping can be blamed on the collectors, this sort of litter is absolutely disgusting. There is no excuse.
“I think constant pressure from residents and enforcement from Metro Police meant the collectors moved from Riverside Road around the corner where they were a little less conspicuous, unfortunately the mess and litter has increased. I’ve put in a request for some type of fence to be placed alongside the road extending to the thatched roof huts on Riverside Road and back to the first building on Roadhouse Crescent,” he said.
Ryley said he would also welcome a smaller open space for the collectors to legitimately conduct their operations.
“Unfortunately, of the departments I’ve engaged with none have shown much interest in the idea. However, if we chase them away again, they’ll just go somewhere else and that’s no solution, we need to find a solution that helps everyone,” he said.
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