A RECENTLY retired Mike Harris (60) has found himself working hard to prevent illegal dumping next to his property in Birch Acres, at the corner of Blouvalk Avenue and Strandloper Road.
Harris invited the EXPRESS to see the illegal dumping which is said to have started in the area since a roadworks construction company started dumping its rubble at the corner.
Harris said, “I have been living here for 30 years. This place used to be a park where my children played when they were still children but today it has become this dumping site with large rats. I approached the workers numerous times at their camp and they said they would not leave without removing all this waste but the last time I went there I did not find them.
Harris said he is concerned because there are now youngsters who go there to burn things and the blows across his yard. He said he has even caught a truck driver dumping his rubble there after paying R30 to a man who told him he may dump there.
“I told him go take your money back because you have been conned. I am recording you and you will still get a fine for illegally dumping on this spot,” he said.
The ANC’s Clr Sibanyoni Ndala, from ward 13 said,”I spoke to the workers of Seletjie Construction around the end of April as they were about to complete their road work and there was a gentleman by the name of Kevin Ndobe who informed me that they were due to remove all the rubble. I will get in contact with them again to find out what is happening and then I will update residents.
“I will set up a community meeting to engage locals on this matter and also to raise awareness as that area is not reserved for dumping and it would really be inconsiderate to dump next to the properties of fellow neighbours,” said Clr Ndala.
Kempton Express was eventually able to speak to a senior member of the company, by the name of Jape Lekgwathi, who said they would start removing the waste from May 12.
