I stand amazed at how illegal dumping escalates

I stand amazed at how illegal dumping sites are mushrooming on the street corners of Tembisa even after the City of Ekurhuleni has provided big, free dustbins for each and every household.

My question is: what are these bins used for? Are they used as wardrobes to pack clothes or as kitchen storage for dishes and containers?

When you move around Tembisa, you find plastic, waste and dirt dumped at almost every corner of a school or someone’s property.

Recently, I received several calls from residents who are concerned about illegal dumping sites in the area.

People are complaining that others just dump rubbish in front of their houses and they have to suffer as a result of the lack of hygiene, health hazards and bad smells.

They have raised the concern that the rubbish that is being dumped next to their yards attracts rats and increases their number.

Each and every week, the City of Ekurhuleni waste removal trucks collect rubbish from every street of Tembisa.

What irritates me most is to see children playing at the dumping sites, eating rotten food or holding unwanted dangerous substances that could endanger their lives.

I think this type of behaviour, of dumping rubbish next to someone’s yard, creates conflicts and squabbles for neighbours. We end up remaining angry at each other and eventually we will not get along – all because of someone dumping his/her rubbish next to my yard.

During a time of need – let’s say ceremonies, celebrations or funerals – you end up not attending the event or helping your neighbour, because you are still holding a grudge against the person.

I believe it is high time that, as a community, we took charge and kept our environment clean, making it a better place to live.