Months of illegal dumping on a vacant plot neighbouring Richem Secondary School in Empangeni has turned the area into an eyesore.
Dumpers regularly drop off anything from animal carcasses and skins, to rubble, garden refuse and garbage on the plot.
When confronted by the school’s caretakers, some of the perpetrators allegedly threatened violence citing ‘this is the new South Africa, we can do what we like’.
ALSO READ: Illegal dumping – Richards Bay’s shame
As heaps of garbage allow unsavoury characters to hide on the plot, two pupils were mugged on their way to school earlier this year, and police have yet to apprehend the suspects.
The school undertook to erect a fence between the plot and the adjoining street, but the structure was vandalised and stolen until nothing remained.
The caretakers also claim to be getting little help from the municipality to install more permanent measures to prevent or punish offenders.
They claim they were promised CCTV cameras, signage and other measures to help deter dumping on the plot, but little has been done to prevent dumping in the area.
Officials say the municipality is in the process of fencing off around the cul-de-sac, prohibiting vehicles from gaining access to the area.
Some of the dumping was cleaned by the municipality’s waste management teams over the months and one culprit was tracked down and issued with a R 1 000 fine.
However, this did not deter future dumping, and the problem continues.
Read about the City’s ‘tough stance on illegal dumping’ HERE
