Nkambeni River used as dumping site

The community of Ka-Majika and surrounding areas near town use the Nkambeni River that flows to the Sabie River through the Kruger National Park (KNP) as their dumping site which places their lives in danger as they run a risk of contracting waterborne diseases.

They claim that they are forced to use the river as their dumping site because the City of Mbombela (CoM) does not collect their refuse and they do not have a dumping site close to where they live.

Siboniso Malandule of Ka-Majika said they have been left with no choice but to use the rivers as their dumping site because they do not have a waste management system in the area. “The City of Mbombela is not collecting refuse from our village. We have engaged them through our former ward councillor, Mahlombe Mhlanga, and they promised to assist us, but until today nothing has happened.”

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Meanwhile, Shadrack Mkhabela who farms next to the Nkambeni, said the dumping has ruined his business because locals no longer support him. “People are aware that I use the water from the river in which people dump their rubbish. I use the same dirty water to irrigate my vegetables. Now I only depend on outsiders to buy my products.”

The general manager of communications and marketing for the KNP, Isaac Phaahla, said the pollution in the Nkambeni has affected them as they all use these river systems.

“We sit on all the water boards and river management committees around Limpopo and Mpumalanga. There has been a lot of improvement when it comes to educating communities on the importance of not polluting this important resource.

“We have lost crocodiles in the past, but the situation is improving as we continue to engage with municipalities and other bodies.”

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The spokesperson for CoM, Joseph Ngala, said dumping is a major challenge throughout the municipality. He also admitted that they do not collect rubbish from the rural areas and traditional council villages.

“All rural areas under the jurisdiction of tribal councils do not receive a basic waste removal service, they receive communal bulk services in the form of bins located at strategic points and the regular clearing of illegal dumping spots as well as abandoned waste materials.

“We only collect garbage from the townships and suburbs areas, however, we do have programmes to educate our communities to refrain from littering in the rivers, the CoM green schools initiative, mobile advertising, warning signage, radio, newspapers, community outreach, billboards,” said Ngala.

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