‘We are fighting a war with dumping’
Dumping in Eastdene has reached new heights as perpetrators seek out various spots all over the area to illegally dispose of everything from household garbage to building rubble and garden dirt.
Piles of illegal waste can be seen on open plots, the shopping complex, near the railway line and now surrounding farms as residents have vowed to catch and charge those who are guilty.
Imran Cotwal manages a property on the Rondebosch Farm, just adjacent to Eastdene and near the Middelburg Muslim School.
He says that he has to deal with illegal dumping almost weekly and has warned that anyone caught trespassing on the property and found to be illegally dumping will face the full might of the law.
“We are fighting a war with dumping,” he said.
“This is a beautiful area with lots of nature.
It’s a clean area with fresh air. It’s also private property and we will never tolerate dumping,” he said.
Along the road various types of dumping can be seen – even that of a broken down washing machine.
Last month, it was stated that the municipality is spending thousands of Rands on clearing illegal dumping sites.
The costs include clearing, removal and proper disposal of illegally dumped waste.
The municipality has encouraged businesses and residents of the town to work with them to ensure that all waste is disposed of in a proper manner.
Residents can dispose of building rubble, garden waste and other forms of waste at waste transfer stations situated in various locations including:
• Somaphepha village,
• Doornkop, Dennesig,
• Extension 49,
• Rockdale,
• Komati, and
• Hendrina.
Businesses can dispose of waste at the permitted landfill site.
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• The municipality also calls on residents who witness incidents of illegal dumping to report the perpetrators. To do this you will need to submit the following information: Date and time of the incident, the location, and if possible a photograph of the vehicle with the registration plates clearly visible.
To report illegal dumping contact the Environmental and Solid Waste Department at 013 249 7024.
