Illegal dumping and squatting continue to wreak havoc in the suburbs of Garsfontein and Moreleta Park in east Pretoria.
Despite efforts to curb these violations of the environment in Tshwane, it persists unabated leaving residents worried.
The illegal dumping and dwelling structures erected along Garsfontein Road opposite a home improvement and building materials store are an ongoing nightmare for residents.
The residents have raised concerns regarding this issue also being a major health and environmental hazard.
Residents are worried over the illegal dumping behind Plastic View between De Villebois Mareuil Drive and Mooikloof Ridge Estate.
Residents mentioned that the recycling has grown to a full-scale business up to the spring opposite the entrance to the cemetery.
Deirdré van Helsdingen, founding director of Pretoria East Community Caring Forum (CCF) said parts of the east of Pretoria were becoming illegal dumping areas.
Van Helsdingen said behind Plastic View between De Villebois Mareuil Drive and Mooikloof Ridge Estate, illegal dumping was more concerning and a massive health concern.
She said directors of an estate near the illegal dumping sites had sent her emails pledging to support her in the quest to eradicate this scourge.
“The directors are supporting the CCF and are fed up with the rubbish accumulating on Garsfontein Road between De Villebois Mareuil Drive and Mooikloof Ridge Estate.”
Van Helsdingen added that an urgent intervention is needed.
“In my opinion, Tshwane acts reactively. The problem is caused by the trolley pushers that stay in the squatter camps.”
She said the CCF will continue working hard to beautify and keep Moreleta Park and its surroundings clean.
Ward 91 councillor Henning Viljoen said he was aware of the issues in his ward and has been reporting this matter weekly to Tshwane.
He said he engaged with the metro on plans and intervention measures about the waste on Garsfontein Road.
“We discussed the waste (recycling) matter on Garstfontein Road in the biweekly COO meeting.”
He said this is a matter to be addressed on a strategic level and in a holistic manner.
“I will deliberate with the city next week to plan with a multi-departmental team as this is a serious issue and cannot be solved in routine meetings but strategic interventions.”
He said residents will be informed of the progress.
Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the metro has recently established a task team which comprises various departments to look at several by-law enforcement and the issues of land invasion and illegal dumping.
“As part of the intervention actions, the Tshwane Metro Police (TMPD) By-law Enforcement section together with the Environmental Management Inspector and Waste Management officials, issued verbal warnings to the informal recyclers who are illegally dumping waste to remove it within 14 days.”
Mashigo added the department has developed an illegal dumping clearance schedule that focuses on the removal of builder rubble dumped along this route to prevent environmental degradation in this area.
He said the city has several places that are inundated by illegal dumping, and it is impossible to attend all the places as soon as the complaint is lodged. Hence the Rekaofela Campaign was launched so that the community could join hands with the city to fight illegal dumping.
“The TMPD Bylaw Enforcement Unit is now patrolling the area regularly. The offenders of illegal dumping are issued with fines when they are caught in action. The city has a vigilant land invasion unit which gets activated whenever there is illegal building of shacks identified on public land.”
He said the launch of the Rekaofela clean-up campaign is meant to educate and encourage the participation of residents in maintaining a clean environment, greening, and beautification of open spaces.
The clean-up campaigns are done weekly for a month focusing on one region at a time.
He added that the metro will take all the necessary administrative actions to address the problem and also hold the transgressors accountable for their actions in a legally compliant manner.
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