Residents fed up with dumping in Glenhills

GLENHILLS residents came out in their numbers to meet with the Northglen News to discuss illegal dumping on Malacca Road and Ryde Place.

They say items including computer parts, wood and furniture are continually being dumped in the area.

Some residents have gone to lengths to report illegal dumping, even captured photos or videos of perpetrators.

Ryde Place resident, Wendy Verhagen said she feels unsafe in the area.

“One time I was followed home and threatened by a person dumping illegally. As home owners we find that our property value has decreased due to the havoc, disease and filth of the illegal dumping. Unfortunately this dump site is open to everyone and not necessarily Durban North. It is harder to convict those caught,” added Verhagen.

Also read: Illegal dumping on Malacca Road continues unabated

For Orthman Road resident, Mondi Mchunu the best solution would be to close the Malacca Road dump and divert traffic to the Riverside and Springfield dump sites.

“A lot of people who are doing the dumping see themselves as good Samaritans but they are actually putting us back. Ultimately if you are tying to do something humanitarian to the people in the settlement, then giving them your trash isn’t a solution to any of their problems. Very little of this trash that gets dumped here winds up becoming useful to the community, so it’s just an eyesore and a health hazard. I think the site has outlived it’s utility because there is another dump in the Riverside area which is in a better position because it’s a more commercialised area and it’s within a short distance to the main dump,” he said.

Chairperson of the Glenhills Ratepayers Association, Pete Graham said Covid-19 exacerbated the extent of the problem as the dump’s operating hours were shortened and the dump was close several times due to Covid-19.

“Illegal dumping is a scourge that is becoming far more prevalent and there could be very many socio-economic policies on the depos to process certain kinds of waste such as builders rubble, but a lot of the stuff being dumped isn’t builders rubble, it’s packaging which is just being dumped- items that could be recycled. You wouldn’t go to a supermarket after hours and expect it to be open, why would you expect DSW to be open after hours? They are a service department, but they still have working hours,” he said.

Also read: VIDEO: Residents rebuild after fire devastates Malacca Road Informal Settlement

Graham said the ratepayers executive committee had engaged with the local depo management and through them, organised a skip to and TLB to clean up the area on Thursday.

In a statement, DSW said illegal dumping is a serious offence.

“If caught the perpetrator will be fined of R5 000 and will be responsible for the removal of the refuse.DSW appeals to the public to assist in stopping illegal dumping. If you are a witness to this offence please take the registration number of the vehicle or the address of the person dumping and report it to DSW immediately on 031 311 8804,” they said.  

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