NEWCASTLE – The municipality has admitted dumping complaints are a daily occurrence.
Doctor Thava Kelly, of the Community Services Department’s Waste Management sector, said dumping remained a problem in all areas of Newcastle.
Her comment was made in light of new reports of illegal dumping off Link Road.
“An investigation was undertaken by the department,” she confirmed.
The department’s investigation determined the suspected culprit of a portion of the dumping, although the person said to be directly responsible was no longer an employee there.
This left the matter at a deadlock, Dr Kelly added.
“The department subsequently had another meeting with the Town Planning Department. Anybody who will undertake any construction activity will have to hire the services of a skip container from the municipality.”
According to Dr Kelly, there was no capacity in the department to clean the area at the end of Link Road, with staff shuffled “around the CBD to address complaints in residential areas.”.
“It would be ideal to have a team go out in the suburbs to do litter picking, but there are constraints.”
Dr Kelly concluded that dumping on vacant land was spoiling Newcastle, and cautioned offenders of a R2 500 fine imposed on those guilty of illegal dumping.
Yet as late as last week, the issue raised its head yet again.
This time, residents reported the dumping of animal carcasses on the dirt roads at the end of Link Road, including rotting torsos and festering skulls.
The situation has left residents feeling disgusted.
This gruesome development was reported to municipal staff for immediate attention.
