Ratepayers’ association clean up New Germany

THE newly formed New Germany Ratepayers’ Association hosted a clean-up in conjunction with Durban Solid Waste (DSW) and residents in Kearey Place.

The dense bush that people have turned into a dumping area had been a problem for years as it had turned into an entry and exit for criminals who break into the houses and complexes near Kearey Place.

The New Germany CPF chairperson and the association’s committee member, Lynn Robson, said they collected a minimum of 60 refuse bags.

“It was a difficult challenge as we had to cut out the branches, and there were broken glasses all over.”

Also read: New Germany residents take back their community

Although the spot is a private property, Robson said they were not sure who it belonged to, but it has been deserted for years, and criminals were having a field day using it as a thoroughfare and hiding place.

“We decided to clear it up so there is visibility. We could not finish clearing it in a few hours, but we are planning to do another clean-up, so hopefully, more residents will join us – this will benefit the whole community, not just a chosen few. We hope the community realise that the illegal dumping is an eyesore – what does it do for the image of our town?” asked Robson.

She appealed to people to respect their neighbourhood and stop dumping illegally. “We need to respect our neighbours – it is not fair for the people who reside in this road.”

Robson also urged people to use the correct bags when taking out refuse bags and only take them out on collection days.

Mzokhona Ngcobo, Inner West DSW education officer, who was also part of the clean-up, said it worried him that residents just decide to use vacant spots as dumping places.

“We will be putting up the ‘No Dumping’ signs, and people who continue to dump illegally will be fined,” he said.

Ngcobo also mentioned the issue of residents taking out refuse on the wrong days.

“One of our biggest problems at the moment, especially in this area, are people taking out garden refuse in green bags. Our drivers will not pick them up – people need to use blue bags which are available for purchase in most grocery stores. I do not know where people are getting these green bags from and why they are opting to use them.

“If it such a problem to use the correct bags, there is the Clermont Garden Refuse in Frees Road where people can take their refuse and dump it there for free,” he said.

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