POLOKWANE – The Baitul Ilhaam Special Needs and Remedial School situated in Tungsten Street, Nirvana requested municipal intervention for almost a year about the air and land pollution on the empty land next to their premises.
The school’s classes were halted on September 30 after vagrants set the rubbish on the illegal dumping site alight.
The school co-ordinator Rabia Ismail says it is unfair that the learners, who have compromised immune systems and health issues, have to deal with closed windows to circumvent the odours eminating from the land.
“We rely on air-conditioning, which is difficult given the current load-shedding situation. Then we have no option but to open windows,” she said.
Their effort to contact municipal officials, including ward committee members is seemingly not yielding any results.
“We engaged with a former and current councillor to try and get assistance, but nothing has been done.”
The school wants the municipality to put up a barrier or sign to stop illegal dumping and for waste management services to note the area and add it to the roster so it can be cleaned regularly.
Polokwane municipal spokesperson Thipa Selala noted the alert and said the information was sent to the relevant department to assist.
