Following an article highlighting residents’ frustrations with ongoing illegal dumping activities on the corner of 3rd Avenue and 3rd Street, Orange Grove (A trashy habit, week ending 8 January), the North Eastern Tribune received a letter from one community member discouraged by the lack of resolution on this and other bylaw enforcement issues.
“It’s all good and well that the councillor and Pickitup say they are committed to resolving the issue, but that is not the root cause of the problem. “The problem is lack of enforcement of the bylaws and lack of interaction between the residents and the councillor,” said Felicity Mashego, who believes that illegal dumping reduces property prices.
“Joburg connect is also not helpful. It makes one discouraged to report anything – the streetlight outside my house has not been working for more than three months, despite the calls that I have logged,” added Mashego.
Ward 73 councillor Marcelle Ravid was in agreement with Mashego regarding bylaw enforcement, but has defended herself against the allegation that her interaction with residents of Orange Grove was inadequate, stressing that she gave equal attention to all communities within Ward 73.
“I am willing to meet with the resident to hear first hand of her problems… If she sends me the reference numbers of her logged calls, I can follow up. This doesn’t mean it will get done any quicker,” she said, expressing her own frustration at the backlogs that build up in the City of Johannesburg’s municipal departments, particularly in the period following Christmas.
As a new year of rain damage, waste management issues and maintenance challenges begins, it seems residents and councillors alike fight an unequal battle against urban decay and irresponsible practices by their fellow community members.
Related article: A trashy habit
