Illegal dumping of rubbish on the pavement alongside Hawthorn Street is an eyesore and is causing concern.
An even greater menace is just metres away.
A refuse skip on a vacant piece of land on the same street, is overflowing with rubbish and the area surrounding the skip has deteriorated into a dumping site, polluting the air with its foul and offensive smell.
Ward Councillor, Matthew Shunmugam, explained he had received several complaints about the dumping and had taken it up with relevant municipal departments. He also speculated that the dumping could be a result of the municipal strike when a backlog was caused.
“During that time, some residents dumped their rubbish at the skips that were meant for garden refuse.”
Cllr Shunmugam added that those caught dumping rubbish could face a fine, and urged the community to report offenders and take down the registration numbers of the vehicles seen offloading rubbish.
Cllr Shunmugam suggested that education campaigns could alleviate the problem.
“The skips were provided to assist people in offloading their garden refuse instead of travelling all the way to Farmers Hall. The worst case scenario would be to remove the skips. But this could just see illegal dumping taking place anyway.”
Acting Strategic Executive Director of Community Services, Vish Govender, said that the matter was getting attention.
“We are working around the clock, but it will take a few more weeks and we are asking residents to be a bit more patient.”
