Concerns over illegal dumping and alleged occupation beneath a bridge on Second Avenue in Verwoerdpark have prompted intervention from the City of Ekurhuleni.

The Alberton Record visited the site on August 4 after residents raised concerns about the condition of the area, where piles of waste, clothing, bedding and other items had accumulated beneath and around the bridge.

Residents also raised concerns about alleged criminal activity and people staying beneath the bridge, with some calling for stronger measures to prevent the area from being reoccupied.

At the time, ward councillor Tim Denny said he was unaware of the site’s condition but would contact the city and request that officials attend to it.

The city confirmed that its waste management business unit was also not aware of the complaint.

The city said the Roads and Storm Water Department is responsible for maintaining and cleaning the area.

However, the unit said its teams provide daily street-cleansing and litter-picking services along Second Avenue and conduct inspections.

The city said it would work with a multidisciplinary team, including the EMPD, roads and storm water, and water and sanitation departments, to address the dumping beneath the bridge.

CoE spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said the Waste Management Business Unit continues to implement its illegal dumping strategy in line with the city’s integrated waste management plan.

At the same time, EMPD and Roads and Storm Water would also engage in additional programmes to maintain cleanliness.

Residents suggested installing gates to prevent access to the area beneath the bridge.

Others, however, warned that gates could obstruct the flow of water during flooding and potentially cause damage to the bridge and road.

The issue also drew the attention of Izak Berg of IRASA, who confirmed that EMPD cleaned the area on August 7.

When the Alberton Record returned to the bridge on August 20, the area beneath the bridge was visibly cleaner, with the large accumulation of waste removed.

Some debris remained next to the bridge. It was not immediately clear whether this was newly dumped waste or connected to the material previously found at the site.

The Alberton Record could also not independently establish whether anyone who had allegedly been staying beneath the bridge had returned following the clean-up.

The city has urged residents not to dump waste illegally and has called on the community to help keep public spaces clean.

WATCH: Illegal dumping and alleged occupation under Verwoerdpark bridge spark residents’ concerns