Active community member Heather Oosthuizen contacted Sandton Chronicle, pointing to an email trail dating as far back as 2013, showing evidence of illegal dumping. She photographed trucks dumping building rubble on the site, which she alleges come from property developer Frank Peter, chief executive at Nexcorp. She has reported the issue to the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department, Johannesburg Roads Agency and ward councillor David Potter.
Oosthuizen accused Peter of not only dumping illegally but also using the land as parking space for his employees. She is concerned not only about the unsightliness, but also the environmental impact.
READ: Report illegal dumping
“This former green strip is in the catchment area of the river and is essential for absorbing rain slowly into the river system. Frank Peter’s compaction of this space for parking causes a great deal more run-off due to the size of the area, which is increasing by the day. This compaction of green space causes flooding of roads in the area. What this man has been allowed to do there is causing a far reaching problem,” said Oosthuizen.
Sandton Chronicle spoke with Peter, who sees the issue as a misunderstanding. “We did ask a contractor to bring in fill and top soil to enable us to build a shoulder to Old Kilcullen Road, mainly for safety, landscaping and to stop the illegal advertising trailers that are parked there all year round,” said Peter.
He admitted to not obtaining a way leave to use the land but said he had undertaken to do so with the JMPD. Peter said he had been in discussion with the City regarding the shoulder he proposes to build. In response to complaints from the public regarding illegal dumping, Peter said, “They are well aware of the success of our previous shoulder building opposite our building north of the new landscaping. Our track record speaks for itself.”
Ward councillor David Potter said, “No lease exists for him [Peter] to use council land. He is using the rubble to create a berm for his parking.” Potter also expressed concern that this continuous dumping would cause an increase of illegal dumping in the area.
“Residents need to report illegal dumping and play a role in making a difference. This man is using land which is not his and receiving a double benefit. He dumps for free and his employees use the area as a parking space,” said Potter.
Spokesperson from the JRA, Bertha Peters-Scheepers said, “JRA has received complaints about allegations of illegal dumping and has conducted a site visit… No way leave has been granted for the beautification work and consequently, JMPD impounded tools following a site inspection. No illegal parking was evident at the time of inspection.”
Edna Mamonyane, spokesperson for the JMPD said complaints about illegal dumping had reached the department. She also mentioned that Peter had received no permission to use the land.
Peters-Scheepers and Mamonyane said Peter had been contacted to address the matter and a site meeting has been organised for next week to address all issues raised and to ensure that the necessary bylaws are enforced. Sandton Chronicle will keep you up to date on the outcome of that meeting.
