Illegal dumping causes stink – resident questions security placement
Residents have approached PRASA with a proposal to have their area cleaned up, however were rejected due to the railway entity fearing damage to its infrastructure.
Illegal dumping has been an issue faced by residents across Roodepoort and in the latest incident in Witpoortjie, residents of Cilliers Street are fed up and said that they are prevented from taking matters into their own hands.
Residents have cited the illegal dumping in front of their properties and next to the railway network which raises major concerns for their health and safety. They said they suspect that these illegal dumpers originate from an informal settlement close by.
Sophia van Deventer, a concerned resident said this has been going on for almost five months now with animal carcasses, black refuse bags, and old household items being strewn under the bridge which causes a huge stink for nearby residents.
Following an article that was published on July 17 regarding illegal connections, security guards have been placed at the bridge post to monitor and prevent illegal connection activities from reoccurring. However, these security personnel were only there for about one month and were never seen again.
“There was a PRASA bakkie once and as residents, we approached them about this situation – telling them that we were fed up with this mess and that as a community, we would vow to clean up the area ourselves. They cited that we can’t as they are scared that the railway network would be damaged,” she said and continued that she was on a phone call with PRASA representative, Lillian Mofokeng who told her that they do not have the necessary budget to take care of things.
Lillian Mofokeng, a PRASA communications officer, in response to these allegations, said that Metrorail Gauteng condemns the continuing issue of dumping by communities next to railway lines.
“We are concerned about the increasing patterns of such, and appeal to communities to refrain from such acts,” she cited.
As this is also a bylaw infringement according to the JMPD, which defines illegal dumping as the disposing of waste in any way that is not permitted by law, spokesperson Xolani Fihla said that there are more than 100 illegal dumping hotspots in the city which include those at railway tracks.
“We are aware of this dumping and unfortunately, we cannot place officers’ static at all of these hotspots, and that is the reason why we are encouraging the community to report illegal dumpers by taking clear pictures of the registration number of vehicles dumping and sending them to the Anti-Illegal Dumping Hotline 082 779 1361 together with the time date and location so that officers can trace and issue fines,” he said.
Any individual or property owner found to be guilty of illegal dumping will be fined R1 500 by the City.
Clearing of dumping sites is the responsibility of Pikitup and residents can call Joburg Connect on 0860 562 874 to log a call.
“Illegal dumping on privately owned land falls under the environmental health directorate. Each of the city’s regions has its environmental health section where illegal dumping can be reported, and the number to call in Region C is 011 761 0217,” Fihla said.
