Ward 76 councillor Zandile Mothupi has urged residents on 18th Avenue to take responsibility.

She has urged them to stop illegal dumping, as well as the discharge of wastewater onto the road, warning that these practices are severely damaging infrastructure and affecting everyone in the community.

The councillor’s appeal comes amid growing complaints about rubbish being carelessly discarded near mobile toilets and scattered across the street, making sections of the road almost impassable. “In terms of illegal dumping, we should all take responsibility as residents. We know that the Pikitup truck comes every day. Where you reside, you know that around 10:00, for example, the truck would pass, but then, after the truck has passed, you come and dump your rubbish.”

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Mothupi emphasised that co-operation between residents and the municipality is essential for maintaining a clean environment. She acknowledged that Pikitup has a role to play, but stressed that residents must also do their part by disposing of waste responsibly and aligning with the daily collection schedule.

The councillor also addressed the serious damage caused by households illegally discharging wastewater directly onto the road and pavement through polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes. “We must all take responsibility at some point. If you are a resident and discharging water onto the road, it is a problem.”

She said that it does not only inconvenience one person, but everyone who lives in the area. She also acknowledged that the constant flow of wastewater from nearby homes has significantly contributed to the crumbling pavement and deteriorating road surface on 18th Avenue. Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) previously noted that this ongoing discharge prevents the road from drying out, delaying any repair efforts.

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Mothupi’s comments follow repeated concerns raised by informal traders and residents about the worsening conditions on the stretch of the road.

@caxtonjoburgnorth WATCH: Councillor Zandile Mothupi urges residents to play their part in keeping the environment clean and to not wait for the Pikitup truck to pass before disposing of their waste. Video: Itumeleng Maloka #Alex #Pikitup ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North

Anna Molefe, a long-standing informal trader operating in the area, repeatedly voiced concerns about the conditions on 18th Avenue with Alex News. While she initially complained about how debris from a heap of waste in the area would frequently be washed into storm water drains during rainfall, she now says it has made the road impassable.

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