Illegal dumping near Ivory Park schools continue despite clean-up
Recently, land invaders took over the area for housing purposes
Illegal dumping continues in Ivory Park just three weeks after the African National Congress (ANC) of Ward 77 embarked on the metro’s clean-up campaign.
A day before schools opened on January 15, ANC councillor Yoliswa Twala brought together party members, city officials and residents to clean the area, focusing on areas around Ebomini and Mikateka primary schools.
Next to the dumping hot spot across from Mikateka Primary School, is a fenced-off area that was used by the Department of Social Development during construction in the area for storage of construction equipment. Recently, land invaders took over the area for housing purposes, chopping down the trees and adding to the mounds of rubbish opposite the school’s gate.
A local resident, Michael Moshoane, said the invasion of the fenced-off area could have been orchestrated by a political party. Sprayed on one of the shacks is, “We expropriate land without compensation”.
Moshoane said since he started residing in Ward 77 at least three years ago, there hasn’t been anyone to monitor the dumping hot spot.
“During the day, we hardly see anyone dumping here, but when we wake up in the morning, it has piled up.
“During the last clean-up done by the ANC, I thought there would be a community meeting engaging us on the matter and finding solutions to the problem, but that was not the case.
“The only possible solution is to place a skip here for people to throw their refuse in. Then the Pikitup people can collect that. We also need local Pikitup employees to distribute refuse bags to community members every week and monitor the process,” recommended Moshoane.
Mandla Sibanyoni, principal of Mikateka Primary, condemns the dumping because of the children’s safety after school.
“After school, we have to guard or rather monitor children so that they do not play at the site. It is sad that the community continues to use this area as a dumping spot.
“From my view, this problem has become more political. The school can’t win the battle unless the community and councillors can engage and find possible solutions.
“Locals admit to dumping at the spot because the Pikitup truck can not pass in between the school and the stands,” Sibanyoni said.
Twala said the ward inspector has called a meeting for another clean-up, which will take place soon.
“Some residents in the area said the issue is that most houses have tenants and they fill their bins too quickly, while others blame those without bins. Based on my observations, people pass by here early to go to work and then they dump their rubbish here, and others pass at night from other sections to dump here. It is happening in all sections.
“The ward leaders will continue to warn the residents at community meetings about the dangers of this illegal dumping. We always encourage people not to litter in public spaces. We also highlight the disadvantages of littering, but nothing ever seems to change,” said Twala.
Pierre Nel, City of Johannesburg citizen relations manager, said each ward has inspectors who are responsible to spot service delivery issues within the community, and the inspector of the area will look into the matter.
“The inspector will schedule a meeting every now and then to inform all parties involved about the service delivery issues in the area, including letting them know when the next clean-up will take place,” said Nel.
Pontsho Matshele, founder of Anele Innov8tors, which deals with waste by turning it into job creation, added that people need to be further educated about the hazards of an unclean environment.
“When people pile up rubbish, they tend to burn it eventually, and by so doing, it contributes to climate change. Apart from this, every township has rodents and we are creating a feeding scheme for them,” said Matshele.
