A worried Fochville resident has called on Executive Mayor Nozuko Best to intervene directly as illegal dumping grows into one of the town’s biggest environmental challenges.

Johan Knell says that empty stands, parks, sidewalks, open fields, and nearby farms are increasingly being used as dumping sites.

Knell explains that the problem is driven by rubbish bin diggers who scatter waste while looking for recyclables.

“Unfortunately, many residents also contribute by throwing rubbish from their vehicles, dumping household waste in vacant stands, instructing garden workers to dispose of rubbish illegally, or transporting loads of waste to open land outside town,” says Knell.

In one alarming incident, someone dumped building rubble and decaying heads and skins of slaughtered animals next to the Loopspruit on a farm outside Fochville.

“This is a huge health risk that can lead to diseases breaking out,” Knell complains.

While illegal dumping affects many South African municipalities, Knell and other locals are determined not to let it become acceptable in Fochville.

Volunteers and residents who want to keep the town clean are currently fighting a losing battle without stronger support from the municipality, prompting even the Fochville Community Policing Forum to step in.

To tackle the crisis, Knell wants the Merafong Local Municipality to launch a sustained public awareness campaign and deliver educational pamphlets to every household outlining the environmental, health, and legal consequences of dumping.

Residents also want increased law enforcement patrols, meaningful penalties for offenders, practical waste management solutions that support responsible recycling, and clear reporting channels with prompt responses to complaints.

Knell believes that keeping Fochville clean is a shared responsibility between the local authority and every resident. “By working together, we can restore pride in our town, protect our environment, and create a cleaner and healthier community for future generations,” Knell says.

Although Knell told the Herald that Executive Mayor Best responded by referring the matter to Municipal Manager Dumisani Mabuza and his team, most of the rubbish still had not been cleared away this week.