Alleged municipal workers caught illegally dumping in Montclair park
eThekwini Municipality's Spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela has appealed to residents to continue to sound the alarm when they witness illicit and barbaric behavior.
THERE has been a call for a full-scale investigation after a resident spotted men, believed to be eThekwini Municipality workers using one of the City’s vehicles to illegally dump unwanted goods in a park on Roland Chapman Drive in Montclair recently.
The resident, who requested anonymity, said he was driving past the park when he noticed the men removing various goods out of the vehicle, a white bakkie which had NDM plates. NDM can be seen on eThekwini Municipality-owned vehicles.
“I was leaving the area but couldn’t help but notice the vehicle and these guys who were offloading the contents from the back of the bakkie. I decided to approach them as what they were doing was wrong and the fact that they were using a municipality-owned vehicle.
They were shocked when they saw me and one of the guys immediately started apologising. He then tried to bribe me, which I refused and informed them that I was going to report them. When I started taking pictures of the vehicle, he tried to grab my phone.
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“It is very frustrating and sad that while the residents have been working tirelessly to keep the area clean, you have possible municipality employees using a work vehicle to illegally dump. They could have easily stopped at the Montclair dumpsite which is open early in the morning to get rid of their unwanted goods.
“If they are municipality employees then they have an obligation to uphold the by-laws and set an example for others. I believe Like any other person caught illegal dumping they need face the consequences of their actions. There needs to be a full-scale investigation,” he said.
The resident said he had escalated the matter to Gavin Hegter, the ward 64 councillor.
“I view this in a very serious light and have forwarded the information to the City manager for investigation. I would also like to praise the resident for his actions. I encourage all residents to take a stand against this crime as illegal dumping not only degrades the state of our area, but costs us millions of rand every year for the City to clean it,” said Hegter.
Msawakhe Mayisela, the eThekwini Municipality spokesperson said they(municipality) will under no circumstances turn a blind-eye in the event one of their employees is caught red-handed.
“Now that it has been brought to our attention with all evidence substantiating this alleged unlawful conduct, our disciplinary process will kick in. The outcome will be shared with the media and the public at large. When an opportunity presents itself to us to make an example with one individual, we don’t hesitate,” he said.
Mayisela said illegal dumping is a ‘tightening noose’ around the municipality’s neck.
“This is why we appeal to our residents to continue to sound the alarm when they witness this illicit and barbaric behaviour. We also thank our residents for being vigilant in this regard,” he said.
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