Illegal dumping persists in uMhlathuze

Despite efforts to curb ongoing illegal dumping in the City of uMhlathuze, it persists unabated in various suburbs.

This as some public spaces, including Five Mile Beach in Meerensee, are an ongoing nightmare for residents, not to mention the major health and environmental hazard.

The beach entrance has been a dumpsite for years, with construction rubble, garden refuse and rubbish littering the public space.

Irked by the situation, one Richards Bay resident said illegal dumping at Five Mile Beach has been going on for more than four years without being addressed.

City of uMhlathuze communications manager Bongani Gina has strongly condemned these acts of carelessness and lawlessness.

“The damage caused by such illegal dumping goes as far as impacting the health of the residents and beach-goers, it also harms the environment and pollutes the air. People need to understand the huge damage that is caused by this,” said Gina.

Gina said part of the action they have taken to address the issue at Five Mile was to inspect the area, and subsequently issued a fine to one of the main perpetrators.

He further urged the public to report such cases as culprits may be punished for their criminal offences.

“If we receive the complaint, it is investigated. If we find the culprit, we issue an Abatement or Compliance Notice that says the culprit must cease their illegal activities within a specified period,” said Gina.