Large scale clean-up in Komati the first step to stopping illegal dumping
Last week residents finally had enough of illegal dumping in Komatipoort and partnered with the Nkomazi Local Municipality to clean up all these sites.
KOMATIPOORT – Vehicles and workers from local businesses and the municipality worked together from last Wednesday to remove refuse from illegal dumping sites around town. Although the project was scheduled for only three days, workers were still busy transporting refuse to the relevant dumping sites on Tuesday as the project exceeded estimates.
Residents have been complaining about illegal dumping for some time. Following several such messages on local WhatsApp groups on municipal services, Schalk Koedyk approached Jan Engelbrecht to find out how he could help resolve the situation.
Engelbrecht, chairman of the Nkomazi East Combined Commerce and Tourism Association (NECCTA), helped connect him with Michael Mantshinshi of the municipality. Several other community members lent their equipment, workers, money or time to the cause. Koedyk coordinated the community efforts and Mantshinshi, the municipal trucks.
Besides cleaning up illegal dumping sites such as those along Gilfillan Street and near the new graveyard, 90 black bags of refuse were removed from Suiddorp.
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The municipality provided “No dumping” signage and Engelbrecht stated that the community hoped to install more in Afrikaans, English, siSwati and Portugese.
In order to ensure that the town does not revert to its previous filthy state, the municipality also promised to install three skips at strategic locations.
NECCTA hopes to get local businesses to keep an eye on the skips and report any contraventions.
Representatives from Komatipoort, Marloth Park, Hectorspruit and Malalane met with the mayor on Wednesday to discuss issues troubling the towns. Proper enforcement of the bylaws, especially regarding illegal dumping, was one of the main points on the agenda.
The municipal bylaws regarding illegal dumping state that transgressors could receive a fine of R5 000 or even imprisonment.
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The town representatives hope to present a temporary solution for bylaw enforcement, until the municipality can provide personnel to fulfil this function.
It is imperative that these law enforcement officials also be able to react to transgressions regarding noise disturbance, burning of refuse and informal traders.
Residents of Komatipoort were urged to put plastic refuse in blue bags. The hope is to educate plastic container collectors to only rummage through these bags and cut down on littering.
