Illegal dumping still plagues CBD

The illegal dumpsite at the corner of Station Road and Montagu Street in the Boksburg CBD poses a health risk to people living in the area.

A resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said a foul odour and rodents come from the illegal dumping spot.

“The dump site developed last December. When the metro was not collecting household waste, people started dumping in the area, and it never stopped.

Residents held a meeting on March 19 and discussed some of the issues we have in our neighbourhood. The illegal dumpsite was part of the agenda,” said the resident.

He said they cleaned the area where the illegal dumpsite is.

“Even after we cleaned, people continued dumping, and from what I heard, many people have reported the illegal dumpsite to the metro. I don’t know why the metro does not clean the area and fine anyone contravening the by-laws by dumping here. We are sick and tired of living like this. It wasn’t like this when I started staying here in 2020.”

Ward 32 Clr Marius de Vos said illegal dumping is rampant across CoE, especially in areas where backyard dwelling is mushrooming.

“Boksburg East is one of the areas where the illegal building of flats and rooms in backyards is happening. The residents of that area erect buildings not approved by the metro and encroach on underground municipal structures such as sewer and water lines.

“Unscrupulous owners of properties in Boksburg East and South and the CBD are guilty of encouraging illegal dumping because their tenants do not have the municipality’s 240l wheelie bins.

“I have witnessed tenants dumping trash and unused furniture at the illegal dumping sites across town, including at the illegal dumping site on Station Road and Montagu Street.”

He mentioned that he has frequently engaged with the waste depot management and the MMC for Environmental Resources and Waste Management to have these illegal dumping sites cleared and the perpetrators fined, but that hasn’t materialised.

“These dumping sites are ever-expanding, and transgressors of the municipal by-laws have normalised illegal dumping on the doorsteps of law-abiding ratepayers who have wheelie bins and who don’t dump their trash on public areas, regardless of the waste backlogs they have experienced over the past year and a couple of months.

“I’m urging officials of City Planning and the building environment to inspect these properties where flats and rooms were built to stem out lawlessness,” explained de Vos.

The Boksburg Advertiser has sent an enquiry to the metro and is awaiting a response.

Also Read: Illegal dumpsite affects church services

Also Read: Illegal dumping continues unchecked