A BELLAIR resident said he is concerned with the increase of illegal dumping on Sarnia Road, specifically between the Wakesleigh Road railway bridge and the Bellair pool.

Steve Jansen van Vuuren said the dumping has intensified in the last few years.

He added that dumpers have taken advantage of the overgrown bushes, and they dump items ranging from household refuse to building rubble.

“I walk from my home down this stretch every day so I notice piles of rubbish everywhere. The bushes border the train track, and because there have been no trains since the Covid-19 lockdown and the subsequent vandalism, these bushes are the perfect spot for those dumping. Beyond it being an eyesore and it being illegal, the items draw flies and it is unhygienic. My concern is that if left unchecked, this kind of behaviour will continue.

“I’ve reported the matter to both the councillor and the eThekwini Municipality, but nothing has been done. I do feel if somebody was prosecuted for dumping, this would deter others and send a strong message to perpetrators. I also feel the bushes need to be cut back along Sarnia Road as they provide the perfect cover for people to dump. The bushes are so overgrown, they’ve also impacted the sidewalk so people have to walk in the road to get past,” he said.

Ward 65 councillor Samantha Windvogel said she was aware of the dumping and had also escalated the matter.

“Sadly, illegal dumping is not just limited to Sarnia Road. A number of areas within this ward have become hotspots for dumping. I do concur that the situation is not hygienic, and it also provides the potential for rats and cockroaches to thrive. What often happens, especially on Sarnia Road, along the train tracks, people come through at night to dump their items. This also creates a bigger problem for the environment as some of these items also end up in our stormwater drains, causing blockages,” she said.

While the eThekwini Municipality did not respond to this specific case, they addressed illegal dumping in a recent Facebook post.

“Residents can report illegal dumping by calling the Cleansing and Solid Waste helpline on 031 311 8804/36 or email dsw@durban.gov.za,” the Facebook post read.

The City added that illegal dumping affects public health, safety and quality of life.

For more from the Highway Mail, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.