The illegal dumping throughout the city and its residential areas is ongoing, and the perpetrators continue to go unpunished, indicating that the City of Mbombela (CoM) is unable to execute its mandate.

Perpetrators have become more overt, seemingly defying the CoM outright.

Some residents claim that it has become the norm for anyone to simply dump their garbage on the side of roads, at bus shelters and next to electrical mini-substations.

Gatvol taxpayers are demanding that those responsible for enforcing by-laws do their jobs properly and bring the perpetrators to book.

Despite reporting offenders and even providing photo evidence of vehicles involved to CoM, as requested by the municipality, nothing noticeable is being done. By-law enforcement officers are also noticeably absent at identified hotspots.

ALSO READ: Residents refuse to adhere to the law as illegal dumping continues on R538 near Mganduzeni

AfriForum, the Manganese Metal Company and We Care 4 Nelspruit are stepping in to clean up in an effort to keep the town clean.

We Care 4 Nelspruit works tirelessly to fight this issue and expose those littering, in the hope that the municipality will deal with the perpetrators.

According to Pr TJ Maré, illegal dumping sites are not cleared and the private sector is forced to do the municipality’s job. The growing stinking mess is also negatively affecting property values.

“The CoM has provided clear instructions on where refuse can be disposed of. While there are signs at dumping hotspots warning the public not to leave their rubbish there, the CoM does not have a proper prevention plan. We have personally sent information to the municipality so they can punish the perpetrators, but nothing has happened.”

ALSO READ: Illegal dumping continues unabated on the R538

Maré added that if by-law enforcement was properly implemented, this situation would not be such a problem,” said Maré.

CoM spokesperson Joseph Ngala said the clearing of problem areas is ongoing.

“We have a fixed schedule to attend to bus stops, litter bins and other areas. We discourage this illegal activity and people must report illegal dumping or send photos with the perpetrator’s car registration to customerservice@mbombela.gov.za. This information will then be sent to the traffic department, which will issue fines,” he said.

According to Ngala, it is difficult to stop the perpetrators, as most of the dumping happens at night. He said warning signs have been erected at most of the regularly used sites.
“We will continue to raise awareness of the environmental impact of this, but the public is encouraged to report these activities,” he concluded.