It’s tough being a rate-paying landlord, running a business. The council is ruthless with disconnections for non-payment, and rates and services have increased exponentially these past few years. If you put a foot wrong, then heaven help you, except of course if you happen to be Prasa, the Passenger Rail Association of South Africa. I own the Witpoortjie Hotel, and have spent substantial capital upgrading the facility so that tenants and shop owners have a decent place to live and work … but, across the road from us is Prasa’s dumpsite, filled with trash and rats, with maggots feeding off rotting garbage, breeding all sorts of disgusting who knows what. I’ve tried in vain to get the local council to take action against this growing health hazard for the entire community because I know I would have been severely fined if I dared to let my property become a dumpsite. Obviously if you happen to be a government agency then it seems that the rules don’t apply equally.
What a disgrace. Thank God for ward councillor, Edwina Mahne, the only person who even bothered to return my calls and make an effort to get the various departments responsible to take action against this disgraceful neglect by Prasa. Here are the facts as she explained to me in order to get Prasa to take responsibility for cleaning up this eyesore and health hazard. Rene Mawafha, a Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM) waste inspector, has informed Mahne of the following:
The illegal dumping opposite Witpoortjie Hotel is on Prasa property. Prasa has promised to clean the area but has so far failed to act on their promise. The matter has been referred to the Assistant Manager of the MCLM Compliance Office, Wiseman Mzimba. A notice will be issued to Prasa regarding the non-compliance of Prasa to the MCLM request to clean up the illegal dumping on their property. The First Notice has a 14-day period. If there is still non-compliance, a second notice will be issued with a period of seven days. If Prasa fails to respond, MCLM will obtain the services of a contractor to clean up the illegal dumping. MCLM will then charge the amount billed to Prasa. Prasa might go to court to challenge the bill.
*Prasa has been approached for comment, but none has been forthcoming at the time of going to print – Ed.
