Residents in Emndeni South say they have had enough of the smell and health problems caused by dumping in the open space near the Nkosi Shops.
Maria Kgatisoe says that most of the dumping takes place near her house and it is a problem because there is a sick person living in the house.
“I have tried taking the matter to the councils’ office and I was told that the open space has an owner and nothing can be done about it.
“I have a family member who is suffering from TB and the smell from the dumping has a negative effect.
“The smell is so bad that we have to keep the doors and windows closed in hot weather while other people are living comfortably,” Kgatisoe said.
Another resident, Lerato Mabaso says that the smell affects her on a daily basis and the open space prevents them from hosting events because visitors’ cars cannot park.
“There is a funeral in our family and I don’t know what we’re going to do because cars need parking space and people are going to eat uncomfortably after the funeral because of the garbage.
“I’ve even given Sphiwe Maboze and Sizwe Masilela money to clean the open space near my house and it doesn’t help because there is only two of them and it will take them forever to finish the whole space with their two hands,” Mabaso said.
Both Mabaso and Kgatisoe say they have taken the issue to the municipal office asking the councillor to clean the space but councillor Blessing Bogopane says that he hasn’t received any queries from them.
Councillor Bogopane said:
“The citizen relationship and urban management unit is going to clean the open space regardless of who owns it”.
The councillor says that after the space has been cleaned the community needs to make sure that dumping doesn’t take place anymore because the council cannot keep cleaning for the public to make the same space dirty again.
