It has become evident in our neighbourhood in Brackendowns that residents think they can leave unused building materials, such as sand, bricks and gravel, on the sidewalk for months and even years after building or renovations are done.
This impacts negatively on the general appearance of the neighbourhood and is unfair to other residents who maintain the sidewalk to keep the street neat and tidy.
Recently, there is also a tendency to leave chopped off branches on the sidewalks as well. This surely cannot be allowed and there must surely be penalties for such offences.
Is there a solution?
Concerned resident – Brackendowns
The RECORD received the following comment from EMM spokesperson Themba Gadebe:
“According to the Public Health By-Laws: Council Resolution: A-ET (01-2009) dated 23/09/2009, Schedule 1 section 4 stipulates: ‘A person creates a public health nuisance if he or she throws, dumps, stores, keeps refuse, rubbish, glass, tins, paper, etc. on or in a street, road, bridge, open space.’ This, therefore, confirms that the storage of rubble on pavements is not allowed and the council can therefore take steps to remedy this situation,” he said.
“According to the Public Health By-Laws stated above, Schedule 1, section 4(2) provides that such a person can be instructed by the council to remedy the situation to the satisfaction of the council.
If a person fails to do so after a notice is served upon him/her, the council may remedy the situation at the cost of the person who caused this situation.”
