The illegal dumping on the KaMajika Road in Sand River poses health hazards to residents, especially those who live next to it.

The dumping has been continuing unabated for more than five years.

As the area is not serviced, nor the refuse removed, it is now a garbage dump of large proportions, straddling the road.

Residents claim they repeatedly complain to the City of Mbombela (CoM), but without joy, while others claim a fence that had been erected around the area had been stolen.

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

Slindile Nkosi, a resident next to the dumpsite, said the smell from it is not good for their health, especially the kids.

“The people dump all sorts of debris, even dead animals, and that is not good, since the area is not monitored. Our kids play there and that exposes them to diseases. We tried to locate the owners of the land, but that did not help. The CoM also tried to put up a sign to prohibit people from dumping, but it did not help either,” she said.

Sabelo Zwane is calling on the residents near the dumpsite to unite and make sure it is closed down.

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“We tried to get the authorities and the relevant people to clean it, because our homes smell like pit toilets. We need to unite and empty and clean it, then people can build their houses or run businesses from there. As long as the land stays empty people will use it for dumping,” he said.

The CoM’s spokesperson, Joseph Ngala, said they are aware of the illegal dumpsite and affirmed that they would attend to it.

“It is difficult to stop the dumping as most of it happens at night. We will, however, erect a warning sign and continue to raise awareness on the impact on the environment.

The public is encouraged to report these activities. Send photos with the perpetrator’s car registration to customerservice@mbombela.gov.za.

This information will be sent to traffic services that will then issue a fine,” he said.