Illegal dumping sites pose health hazard to Tubatse people
“We have a big problem when it comes to illegal dumping. We cleaned most of the areas, but after a couple of weeks, it began to stink again."
BURGERSFORT- Steelburger/Lydenburg News recently received numerous complaints from locals about illegal dumping sites in and around their villages.
Residents from Praktiseer, Longtill, Riba Cross, Mashamothane and Mabocha villages said that they were tired of the bad smell and seeing their children play around filthy illegal dumping sites.
The waste includes everything from builders’ rubble, baby nappies, household rubbish to dead animals. Mashamothane dwellers complained of baby nappies being discarded on the tarred roads while Praktiseer people said the rubbish was thrown into the Tubatse River, which they sometimes use as a source of water.
Environmental specialist, Mr Collen Mojela, who showed his displeasure with the Greater Tubatse Municipality (GTM), highlighted that they complained to the municipality on several occasions but that nothing had been done to remedy the situation.
“We have a big problem when it comes to illegal dumping. We cleaned most of the areas, but after a couple of weeks, it began to stink again.”
Mojela said they had requested that a “no dumping” sign should be erected and a big rubbish bin provided, but nothing had been done.
“People who dump illegally should be fined. Only then will they stop. The illegal dumping site between Dresden and Alverton villages was cleared up two weeks ago, but the area is filthy again.
“We tried to help, but we are now losing hope,” he complained. Steelburger/Lydenburg News also visited the site and discovered that it was unfenced and that rubbish lay scattered everywhere. Mr Thabiso Mokoena, spokesman for GTM was not available for comment by the time the newspaper went to print.
