Metro responds to concerns over illegal dumping in Sky Street
Residents were outraged when a truck dumped its load of waste in front of a house on Sky Street on August 26.
Following growing concerns from residents of Sky Street over illegal dumping turning their neighbourhood into a health hazard and eyesore, the City of Ekurhuleni has issued a response.
Spokesperson Zweli Dlamini confirmed that the metro is aware of the problem but explained; “Upon investigation, we found that the illegal dumping is occurring inside a private yard, and our waste management services are limited to public open spaces.”
As such, this matter has been referred to community services to serve a notice to the property owner to address the issue.
Dlamini outlined the city’s existing waste management efforts to curb illegal dumping across its jurisdiction.
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“The city provides the following in-house and contractual services, to ensure that waste generated by the residents, within its area of jurisdiction is managed properly (collected, transported and disposed at the approved landfill sites). Thus, discouraging illegal disposal of waste in open areas.”
Dlamini said the door-to-door refuse collection services are rendered weekly through service providers and through in-house waste collection.
Other measures include:
• Hiring of specialised waste management vehicles on an ‘as and when’ basis, to augment fleet required for round collection.
• The City of Ekurhuleni issues 240L wheelie bins to ensure proper storage of waste, discourage littering, illegal dumping, and breeding of vermin. Illegal dumping spots are cleared on an ‘as and when’ required basis depending on available resources.
• Initiatives to encourage waste minimisation are undertaken through partnership with co-operatives and appointed contractors.
• Additional waste peace officers were trained in June and appointments will be finalised once the process of criminal verification is concluded.
Regarding illegal dumping by-laws, he referred to the Integrated Waste Management Bylaw 2021, Section 53, which prohibits dumping waste in any place not authorised by the city.
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