Heaps of discarded building rubble along Hendrik Potgieter Road an eyesore

Motorists are forced to endure an eyesore of discarded building rubble along Hendrik Potgieter Road parallel to the N1 Western Bypass.

Incidents of illegal dumping have only increased as new developments arise within Roodepoort. Resident Nicky Oelofse exclaimed how he’s been trying to get feedback from the local authorities for years about the illegal building rubble dumping on this stretch road leading up to Gordon Road.

“There was a time when it looked like they were trying to make a difference. They had put up fences and tried to limit access to the area, but not long after the poles and fences were taken down or stolen,” he stated.

The sheer amount of discarded building material is indicative of someone with a truck dumping the mess next to the road.

“The thing is, they probably dump at night when no one is watching,” he added.

Oelofse explained how he has been a resident of Roodepoort all his life and it troubled him to see the mountainous heaps of rubbish not only remain unattended but grow as time passed, with no resolution from authorities in sight.

“I emailed Pikitup about the situation as well and haven’t heard anything back from them as of yet,” he pointed out.

In regards to the bylaws and regulations upheld by JMPD, the Roodepoort Northsider reached out to spokesperson Xolani Fihla to help shed light on the punishment for illegal dumping and what the regulations state about dumping construction materials in public places.

A request for comment from Pikitup has also been issued as well as the Department of Roads and Transport on the protocols in place to prevent and/ or remove such materials from the sides of the roads.

At the time of going to press no response was received. An update will follow once more information becomes available.