Deliberate dumping and littering in and around the Roodepoort CBD are getting out of hand.
That is the reason why more than 200 employees and management staff from at least four different entities (West Rand Informal Food Traders, Environmental Practitioners, Pest Control and Urban Management) were seen marching for more than an hour from Berlandina Street towards Station Street on Friday 20 September.
Johnny Mofokeng, an environmental practitioner at the Civic Centre in Roodepoort says, “The purpose of the protest was to raise awareness regarding illegal dumping and littering in the Roodepoort CBD as well as highlighting the negative impact that poor waste management has on human health and the environment”.
The protest also was held to celebrate World Environment Month.
Responding to a question about the extent of dumping and littering in Roodepoort, Mofokeng says, “It’s very bad. We as the Environmental Health Department, residents and business owners are not happy with the situation.
“At most corners we find some form of illegal dumping. Plastics, bottles, papers and boxes are dumped everywhere. The most challenging aspect is that we do not know who the culprits are.”
Mofokeng added that the protest is the first step to tackling the problem and that there are plans to enforce the law by issuing fines and notices to those who litter in the city. There is a strong possibility of a cleaning campaign to be launched.
“The turnout was good and I think we managed to get the attention of the people around Roodepoort about the issue.
“For us it is all about the environment, which is very important. If we do not manage it we will experience long-term problems such as rodents and bad smells, which won’t make the city appealing.”
