Dissatisfaction as sports ground turned dumpsite
Other related issues raised are the depreciation on the property value as well as the environmental impact the dump has in the area.
“LET’S take pride in the place that we live in and make it liveable.”
This is the call of Montclair resident, Sudeshni Pillay who has a gripe with an illegal dump on the Kenyon Howden Sports Grounds.
The issue has been ongoing for years and Sudeshni shared that she has made countless calls and reports to have it resolved. “This used to be a well utilised sports ground and the main one in the area. We have even had hopes of an open-air gym being installed to regain the community’s interest in the facility. However, it has since been neglected and the change rooms demolished as well. You’ll get a group of people training there from time to time but the area has just become an eyesore. I’ve tried to contact Durban Solid Waste (DSW) to report this problem but I can’t even get through to them when I call. The phone just rings unanswered. There is also a Shembe congregation that comes to the grounds to pray. It is unacceptable that they have to do their worship next to such filth.
“People have come to recognise this as a dumpsite and come with their cars to offload their rubbish. This definitely won’t stop anytime soon. The councillor has said there is nothing that he can do about the matter,” she said.
Other related issues raised are the depreciation on the property value as well as the environmental impact the dump has in the area.
“There is years of dirt piled in there even the driveway is completely blocked off. We are ratepayers who pay for the service delivery which just isn’t there. Something has to change that’s why after exhausting all my efforts with the different departments I saw it fit to embark on a clean-up initiative where the community will come together to take ownership of the area. Residents from the nearby complexes are on board. But we also need one of those large dumping bins at the site to better control the dumping issue.”
Ward 64 councillor Gavin Hegter explained that illegal dumping was a huge problem throughout the city.
“Part of it is due to DSW’s policies where they restrict dumping at the garden refuse transfer sites as there are certain things that cannot be disposed of there. As a result, what often happens is that small contractors will go to the nearest place to dump their rubble. But it also goes further than that, while many residents take pride in their area, sadly some just don’t care. The sports grounds in question have been a problem area for years now and most of the dumping that happens there is by residents. The area does fall under the Parks Department, which has done numerous clean-ups there but unfortunately, the problem goes back to square one within a week. I appeal to residents to be vigilant by identifying vehicles that go into the area to dump. Send information of the incident as well as the vehicle’s registration to me and I will ensure that the culprit gets a R5000 fine. If the identified person is on foot, try to send any other helpful details so I can try to get Parks Department law enforcement to address the issue. This is the only way we can address this problem in our area,” he said.
Sudeshni further stressed the need for education on the health and environmental impacts of illegal dumping in residential areas. To become a part of the initiative to clean, reclaim and uplift the public facility contact Sudeshni on 083 799 0611.
