The entrance to the fenced-off Hilson Park is being used by recyclers to sort out their waste right next to a ‘no illegal dumping’ sign.
This is after the area was fenced off in March last year after complaints about several recyclers occupying that space. A Highlands North resident Bruce Bernstein led the project of fencing off the park and raised funds from residents in the adjoining affected properties.
Bernstein said, “We fenced off the park as part of the James and Ethel Gray Park rehabilitation programme. The Abbotsford Residents Association and Highlands North Residents and Ratepayers Association also assisted in the programme. The project, which Ward 74 councillor Belinda Echeozonjoku was aware of, was sanctioned by City Parks. There had been more than 100 waste pickers operating in the park. Through an integrated operation, the waste-pickers were relocated.”
Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) spokesperson Officer Xolani Fihla said illegal dumping has been a thorn in the flesh of not only the City of Johannesburg but also its residents. “We have received numerous complaints from members of the public regarding this serious offence. The JMPD has a dedicated team within the By-law Management Unit which was established to combat illegal dumping. This team has been deployed to monitor and put a stop to illegal dumpers and when caught red-handed or traced they are issued a fine.”
Fihla urged residents to report illegal dumpers by using the Anti-Illegal Dumping Hotline 082 779 1361. “We also urge residents to take clear photos of the illegal dumping as well as the number plate of the vehicle and then send these pictures together with the date, time, and location of the illegal dumping.”
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