Metro clears headache east health hazard

The metro embarked on a massive clean-up of the Pretoria east informal settlement, Cemetery View on Wednesday, July 3 as part of a fight against acts of illegal dumping, and by-law contravention.

The informal settlement is a stone’s throw away from Woodlands Mall and some of the most affluent east suburbs. The filth-riddled informal settlement has been characterised by chaos, illegal dumping and contravention of Tshwane environmental by-laws.

The clean-up was carried out in collaboration with Tshwane metro police and health officials as illegal dumping and mounting waste and rubble were a common sight for residents and patrons visiting Woodlands Mall.

Transient operators such as trolley-pushers and waste pickers are also responsible for the litter and illegal dumping at the settlement as they have made it their waste sorting site.

Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the metro opted for a clean-up of the area because it had become a health hazard.

Mashigo said as a solution to deter more dumping at the informal settlement, the metro would consider fencing off the area.

“Conducting regular raids and deployment of security and maintenance of police visibility will also deter the persistent dumping at the settlement,” Mashigo said.

He said the clean-up entailed clearing the illegal dumping sites at the camp, which will ultimately stop the smoke pollution as there’s no waste to burn.

Mashigo said anyone caught dumping there will be fined.

“Those that want to dump are being redirected to the correct and nearest landfill site which is Hatherley.”

Ward 101 local councillor Malcolm de Klerk said by-law enforcement will be continuing.

“That area must be saved and protected. It’s a wetland,” he said.

A decision was taken by the metro to evict the dwellers but was halted at the eleventh hour by Lawyers for Human Rights who lodged a successful urgent application.

De Klerk said people cannot continue to dump there as they please or erect structures there.

“There’s so much regulation on this. And human rights lawyers should be ashamed that they defend moves against relocating the dwellers. The conditions are disgusting.”

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