About two months ago,
Cllr Werner le Grange, accompanied by Mbombela Local Municipality, held a meeting regarding Lowvelders not protecting our environment.
This includes illegal dumping of refuse and mechanics illegally servicing cars in town, spilling oil all over the streets.
This did not fall on deaf ears, as the municipality made it their mission to keep Nelspruit and surrounding areas clean. The meeting included proposals that 'no dumping' signs be put up, collection of refuse on a regular basis, waste bins be allocated on streets and residential areas as well as transfer stations. Street mechanics should also be addressed and residents who do not comply with rules regarding dumping sites, must be fined.
After this meeting, a site visit was conducted in Nelsville, Dr Enos Mabuza Drive and Ferreira Street. The environmental management unit agreed that a programme to deal with illegal dumping, would be established.
The occurrence of illegal dumping increased, and action needed to be taken. The spots in Nelsville at the cemetery, the vacant stand at Wallace Street and the main entrance from Dr Enos Mabuza Drive an Naude Street started in October 2013. Le Grange replied by congratulating them on a job well done.
On October 25, an illegal car wash was impounded by traffic services. Car mechanics, break-down services and beggars were issued with notices to refrain from operating on Bester Street, N4 and the R40.
A service provider has been appointed to ensure that street-trading bylaws are promulgated by the end of January 2014, so that council can start issuing fines and remove all illegal traders. Numerous illegal dumping sites in the Nelspruit, White River and Hazyview areas are said to have signboards soon.
A waste-collection schedule has already been developed, and pedestrian bins are to be procured and expected to be delivered by June 2014.
Although there is improvement, it is still not perfect.
The municipality and authorities would like to remind all citizens to keep Nelspruit and surroundings clean, not to create their own dumpsites and to adhere to all laws.
