Illegal dumping to stop?
"This was really getting out of hand" — councillor.
A number of complaints about the illegal dumping near the Jabulani informal settlement near the Bootha smallholdings has sparked a reaction from the Randfontein Local Municipality – so much so that it resulted in municipal workers being dispatched to clean up the mess in the area, which residents have described as an eyesore.
According to DA Ward 3 councillor Alwyn van Tonder, this has been happening for some time now.
“We have reported this numerous times and nothing was ever done until recently. This was really getting out of hand and would have some serious health implications for residents,” says Van Tonder who adds that he is glad that the municipality decided to do something about this.
The herald also took to the streets to speak to residents about what could have caused this.
According to one resident believed to be a community leader who does not want to be named, the municipality is partially responsible.
“We wouldn’t be dumping on the side of the road if we had a choice. We only have one skip bin for the entire settlement and that hardly gets emptied; so what must we do? That is why some have given up on the municipality and just don’t care anymore.”
Meanwhile, the herald is in possession of an email in which the Randfontein Local Municipality acting municipal manager Larry Steyn commits himself to sorting out the mess.
“Initially we have provided two refuse skip bin at Jabulani informal settlement but one was stolen recently. The remaining skip bin is cleaned on a regular basis – at least once a week – and we clean the open veld opposite the informal settlement as well,” Steyn says.
“I do concede to the fact that we don’t remove illegal dumping as often as we would like to owing to the shortage of front-end loaders. In view of this complaint, my office will arrange for the area to be cleaned and further conduct regular inspections to curb illegal dumping.”
Read more dumping issues here.
