A combined effort by Toti Conservancy and ward 97 councillor, Andre Beetge has seen eThekwini Municipality appoint a contractor to clear the canal at the back of the taxi rank in the CBD.
“Toti Conservancy and Cllr Beetge have been requesting that this unhealthy waterway be cleared and enabled to run free for many months now,” said the conservancy’s Corinne Winson.
“There are large tree branches that dip down into the water below the southern end of the taxi rank. These trap litter and this results in the water lying blocked and stagnant.”
The workers’ first job is to cut and clear these branches before the litter can be removed, and water hyacinth pulled out and sprayed. Work commenced on Monday morning, 25 August and is expected to be completed by Friday, 5 September.
“To have the matter effectively addressed is a complex one, given the way local government is structured to the point of organised chaos,” said Cllr Beetge. “The northern ‘dead’ end of the rank is used by an entrepreneur who accumulates recyclables such as glass bottles, plastic containers, paper and cardboard, that is in turn collected by contractors as and when the volume dictates. As it is an ‘irregular’ operation, it has become an eyesore.” Durban Solid Waste (DSW) is tasked to look into the matter.
“Trader stalls are supposed to be serviced by Metro Rail and have become unsightly and traders discard their vegetable cuttings into the stream behind the stalls that runs off into the river.” Health inspectorate has been tasked to investigate this problem.
The same stream has other litter and overgrowth and the roads and stormwater department is tasked to have it cleared.
The parks department is responsible for trimming back trees and shrubs, while DSW is responsible for clearing litter and the health inspector remains responsible for following up on urinating and other requirements in relation to food supply.
The southern end of the taxi rank is used by taxi operators to clean and wash their vehicles, which results in litter and detergent finding its way into the river.” Metro Police have been tasked with enforcing bylaws in this regard.
Litter in and around the river at the southern end and nearer the bridge is DSW’s responsibility, while roads and stormwater contractors are tasked for those issues along the roadside, and natural resources for the overgrowth and litter in the water itself.
Coastal stormwater is tasked to investigate the installation of a litter rake in the pipes leading into the river. Waste water is supposed to investigate what appears to be sewage entering from the stream and stormwater piping, and the health department will investigate the extent of contamination.”
Metro Rail repaired the concrete palisade fence a week ago and members of the conservancy have been assisting in clearing some of the litter away.
“With September being the traditional clean-up and Heritage Month, the ward committee solid waste portfolio has been requested to investigate community action in cleaning and clearing the same or similar areas around Toti.”
