Newcastle, once awarded the cleanest town, is now slowly becoming the opposite.
The increasing amount of litter strewn around has somewhat transcended from the CBD to residential areas.
Numerous complaints were received about illegal dumping of household refuse, building material debris and shrubbery.
Counsellor Matthew Shunmugam, Chairperson of the Portfolio Standing Committee of Development Planning and Human Settlements, commented:
“This is not refuse that is packed into refuse bags and awaiting removal. It is people who are illegally dumping. ”
The municipality therefore has to embark on special clean-up operations necessitated by illegal dumping.
“We are appealing to the community to refrain from this bad practice. It makes the area unsightly and inconveniences fellow residents,” said Cllr Shunmugam.
The inadequacy of bulk municipal skips has also contributed to the issue of illegal dumping, which was brought to the attention of Acting Director of Community Services, Thisha Mhlanga.
“With regards to bulk bins, we are having a shortage at the moment and we are in the process of procuring the new ones through an open bid process,” he said.
