Meadowdale businesses battle ongoing illegal dumping hotspot
I am grateful that the businesses are on my side and that we are working together to try and make a plan to address this situation.
Ongoing illegal dumping in the Meadowdale area remains a crisis for local businesses and Ward 92 Clr Kade Guerreiro.
An issue that has existed and been reported for several years continues unabated.
According to Guerreiro, the problem has existed for at least the past five years.
The area in question is located on a service road behind Meadowdale Mall between the mall and Brickfield Road.
ALSO READ: Illegal dumping escalates as local businesses call for urgent city action
Guerreiro claims that the illegally dumped refuse comes from both residents and businesses.
It includes household refuse, garden refuse and cuttings and construction rubble.
Guerreiro said that just a few weeks ago, a bath had been dumped at the site but had since been removed.
Guerreiro said that, in an attempt to prevent illegal dumping, local businesses have assisted in preventing it.
“The businesses have installed fencing near the back of Meadowdale Mall and along other sections where culprits gain access.
“Although it has helped slightly, people still gain access to the site where there is no fencing, but we are desperate.
ALSO READ: City tackles illegal dumping in Bedford Gardens clean-up
“I am grateful that the businesses are on my side and that we are working together to try and make a plan to address this situation, but it really seems that we take two steps forward and 10 steps back.
Guerreiro said that, while the fence has helped, other illegal dumping hotspots have now formed in the area.
He said that closer to Brickfield Road, the illegal dumping has become so severe, particularly the dumping of building rubble, that the road is no longer visible and is becoming overgrown with vegetation.
Guerreiro noted that because of illegal dumping, rodents are attracted to the area, which he said many businesses are complaining bitterly about.
“Because of all the discarded refuse in the area, it is attracting pickers and recyclers to the area, which is creating another concern for businesses in the area.
ALSO READ: Posselt Park at risk as illegal dumping and informal settlements grow
“They are saying that there are always people around at night, that there are no streetlights, which is raising concerns of criminal elements, which can be attributed to the dumping.”
Guerreiro explained that there has been no response from the City of Ekurhuleni,
“The city is not helping us with this situation. Basically, the last mass clean-up in this area was in 2021.
“Although there was signage in the area to deter illegal dumping, it has long since been stolen.”
Guerreiro emphasised that the city needs to take responsibility, as it does own the servitude.
“If it weren’t for the action of the businesses, the area would look ten times worse.”
A request for comment was sent to the CoE on June 26, requesting comment by June 29 at 10:00
At the time of going to print, no comment was received.
