Mayibuye residents take a stand against illegal dumping
When one resident tried to dump waste on a freshly cleaned street, the community stepped in, showing Mayibuye will not tolerate littering.
Mayibuye residents took matters into their own hands on January 11, when a local man was caught attempting to dump waste on a recently cleaned street.
Rather than turning a blind eye, the community accompanied him back to his yard, ensuring the waste was disposed of properly.
Illegal dumping has long plagued the streets of Mayibuye, but residents decided that enough was enough after a major clean-up earlier this month cleared Sinamurula, Theresa, and Bulelwa Makomane streets.
Read more: MEC closes scrap yard amid crack down on Illegal dumping in Rabie Ridge
Following the clean-up, community members, including the Mayibuye Youth Activism Movement, urged residents to keep the area tidy. Despite repeated appeals, some continued to dump waste under the cover of night.
Thapelo Nkoane, youth activist and secretary of the movement, explained why the community is taking action. “We’ve lived with untidy streets for years, and we decided that henceforth, Mayibuye must be kept clean. A clean environment is essential, not only for health and safety, but also for the social progress of our community. Children, in particular, are at risk in unclean surroundings.”
Also read: Pikitup has plans to tackle the scourge of illegal dumping in President Park
While there are no harsh local penalties for offenders, Nkoane said the community makes offenders accountable by reporting them to Pikitup, Johannesburg’s waste management entity, and ensuring they clean up their mess.
Pikitup continues to combat illegal dumping through a combination of law enforcement, fines, community education, rehabilitation of dump sites, and the provision of skip bins. However, the entity faces ongoing challenges due to limited resources, the scale of the problem, and the need for community co-operation.
Residents are encouraged to report illegal dumping through Pikitup’s WhatsApp line 082 779 1361, Joburg Connect 0860 562 874, or directly via 011 688 1500, or illegaldumping@pikitup.co.za.
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