Illegal dumpsite in Empangeni causes grief
As a result of the dumping, houses surrounding the site have been inundated with rats and flies
ILLEGAL dumping is causing a whole set of problems for residents in an Empangeni suburb.
Chris Strydom, a resident in Panorama for 38 years, said an Eskom servitude next to his house has been turned from a once beautiful park into an unsightly and unhealthy dumpsite which is becoming worse by the day.
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As a result of the dumping, houses surrounding the site have been inundated with rats and flies.
‘The problem began around two years ago when four access points leading to the area were opened to accommodate a proposed development, which never materialised.
‘Since then, people from all over Empangeni have been dumping their trash here. We mainly see companies that collect garden refuse and those offering tree felling services coming here to dump their waste.
‘They also set it alight and the constant smoke has resulted in many of us developing respiratory problems,’ said Strydom.
‘This is concerning, because people like myself who are over the age of 70, are already vulnerable to Covid-19 and now we are being sabotaged.’
The ZO visited the dumpsite on Monday with Strydom and Ward 23 councillor, Andre de Lange.
In less than 20 minutes, three bakkies were spotted dumping garden refuse and one pile of trash was set alight.
The ZO spoke to one of the men, who said he was not aware that it was illegal to dispose of waste on the site.
‘I collect garden waste and we always bring it here because this place is vacant and we did not think it was a problem.’
De Lange said illegal dumping was crippling the city and that many incidents have been reported to the uMhlathuze Municipality.
‘We have not received feedback on these reports. We have been told that some people have been fined, but we do not know if they paid the fines or how many there were.
‘Many of the people who dump are repeat offenders.’
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