Illegal dumping continues to be an issue in Germiston despite the City of Ekurhuleni’s efforts to clear waste from the streets.

ALSO READ: CoE establishes solid waste task team

GCN previously reported that waste pickets also stepped up to clear the streets of illegally dumped waste at Heidelberg transfer station.

Clean-up operations at dumping spots continue to mushroom in parts of the city.

The MMC for Environment and Waste Management Brandon Pretorius joined the waste management team working on clearing the illegal dumping around the city.

It was also previously reported that the head of environmental resources and waste management Faith Wotshela was placed on administrative leave in recent weeks while a new task team investigates the department.

While the city focuses on clearing its internal problems, residents’ health continues to be put at risk as illegal dumping continues in Delvill at Delville N Road.

ALSO READ: CoE investigating waste crisis

Little Angels Academy principal Lorna Baretto voiced her grievances about the matter as illegal dumping started to pile up across the road from the daycare in recent weeks.

Though the waste was cleared on November 23, she said the waste had been piling up opposite her daycare for three weeks.

Through community WhatsApp groups she was able to report this matter to her local councillor.

“The councillor was not able to help us get the waste matter resolved. The waste pickers team get limited plastic bags for a day.

“When those bags are full they pack the dump on the pavement and leave. Over time it starts to smell,” said Lorna.

She said the waste started to be a problem when the municipal trucks were reported to be broken.

“I have enough bins but the residents around us do not have enough bins. Most house owners do not live in the area, they rent their properties.

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“I saw people empty their wheelie bins at this spot. The biggest challenge is that people mostly come at night to empty their bins.

“The rubbish has cost us money because rats have invaded our daycare. We spent R1 000 a week in rats traps because they eat away our stuff. We have special rat traps because of the children.

“This has become a health hazard and a financially costly exercise,” said Lorna.

She said often people burn rubbish, which added to air pollution.

“The smoke came into the daycare. Our children were unable to breathe, we have to close our doors and windows. And the flies are just too much.

“I have been in Germiston for 61 years and this city was nothing like it is now. On weekends when there are visitors at the Germiston Stadium they park their buses right in front of the dirt.

What image does it bring to the city?

“I am even afraid to take photos of people dumping here in case they see me.

“We need permanent solutions to this problem. I sent the photos to the councillor and the mayor but nothing happens.

“One would think the mayor would change her ways after the last motion of no confidence, but she is more important and difficult to get hold of than the president,” said Lorna.

“Our bins were not been collected for three weeks. They no longer even come on Wednesday, they come on weekends when they can,” she said.

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Lorna also sent photos of the same spot of illegal dumping to GCN editor Marietta Lombard weekly for three weeks.

Despite this and in response to GCN’s questioning about regular waste collection in Delville and surrounds, City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said, “The city collected waste in the area every week.”

He urged the public to refrain from illegal dumping.