Westenburg residents fed up with stench from neglected dumping site
Westenbug residents have had enough of the terrible stench coming from the dumping site on Buys avenue.
POLOKWANE – The stench, which is a result of a dumping site that hasn’t been cleared in over a month, is causing a problem for residents who live nearby.
The site which is directly opposite the residential area has been the cause of flies and a foul smell.
Johannes Oliphant, an elderly man who lives directly across the street from the dumping site lamented at the municipality’s lack of action.
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“This place stinks, and badly so. At night, the stench seems to just get worse and the flies are everywhere. This cannot be a healthy environment to live in,” he said.
Wayne Southon, whose business is right next to the dumping site, explained how the dumping site is negatively affecting his business because it’s difficult to work in the stench, especially on hot days.
“I reported the dumping site on the Waste Management Group which the municipality is a part of and their response has been that they will come. They have also used the excuse of a broken TLB as the reason why they have been unable to clear the rubbish but that was over two weeks ago. I can’t even work because the stench coming from the dumping site is terrible,” he said.
Another cause for concern is the children who take advantage of the situation and using the dumping site as a play ground.
Southon explained that this is because the site is not closed off and anybody can gain access.
He further added that the dumping site is not only used by Westenburg residents but people in surrounding areas as well.
“People no longer go to proper dumping sites anymore, they just dump everything here. You will find everything here, from rubble, to trash and even dead animals, people just dump things as they please,” he said. “The municipality must stop treating us like animals, we are not animals. They are not doing us a favour by cleaning up this area, it is their duty to keep this place clean,” he said.
Matshidiso Mothapo, Spokesperson for the municipality, said that like with any other area where waste is collected, the municipality has a weekly collection schedule in Westenburg.
“There is also a waste transfer station. Residents are advised to keep their waste in refuse bags and take them out on the day of collection. The bottom line is that illegal dumpsites are started by the residents themselves and when the situation gets out of hand the fingers point in the direction of the municipality.
“No one dumps trash in front of their own homes, but choose to do so in front of others’ homes. The municipality battles with the backlog of illegal dumping in the area,” he said.
He further stated that the municipality has an environmental education officer who will be tasked with intensifying education in the area starting with implementing a schools visits programme.
The community is advised not to throw away the waste allover rather they put them into refuse bags to avoid continuing to cause harm the same environmental resources that we all depend on for survival.
“Illegal dumping is a crime in South Africa and there are applicable fines including possible pressing of criminal charges and arrest. However, education remains the most important factor which the municipality is embarking on,” he concluded.
