Madam – To the Honourable Mayor Rehman.
Two letters were written and published in the Advertiser concerning the illegal dumping on the gravel road at the end of Sutherland Street, where you cross Hastie Street on your way to the new Mall.The letters were written by Mr. J Schoeman. You suggested that we had to bring it under the attention of our ward councillor, a reasonable request.
I went to the municipality to confirm the name of the councillor and they gave me his cell number. He is Mr Ncgobo. In October last year I sent him the letter attached to your letter. I asked for response, but to no avail at all. The letter and requests are still in my cellphone’s sent box. I contacted Mrs Cronje and within five minutes I got a response from her, but I think it is unfair to expect for her to pay attention to the matter. She has more than enough problems to deal with in her own ward.
A very serious request. PLEASE GO AND LOOK FOR YOURSELF WHAT IS GOING ON THERE! Then only will you understand my concern. The dumping of building material and other rubbish is not visible from the tar road. That is the main reason why people are not aware of how serious the dumping is, and it is getting worse by the DAY, not week.
Because absolutely nothing has been done, people accept it is the new dumping site of Newcastle, and they very eagerly make use of it because it is so convenient.
Your request to make contact with Mr Ncgobo did not serve any purpose at all. He simply blatantly ignored all my requests. A whole truck full of rubbish was also illegally dumped in the water stream next to Hospital Street at the bridge over Sutherland Street. Is this not happening all over because no action is taken against illegal dumping?
I hope I will at least get some response from you as soon as possible.
Letter addressed to Cllr Ncgobo:
Sir, My husband wrote two letters to the Advertiser concerning the dumping on the gravel road where Sutherland street ends and you cross Hastie street onto the gravel road on the way to the Mall. It is an illegal road made by the late Mr Miles Wade without the consent of the municipality. There was a sign board, about 50 years old, full of holes and rusted that stated that dumping was illegal. It was knocked down by a car about four years ago, and it has never been replaced. I have been jogging along the road for the past 15 years. The ONLY purpose for the road is for people to use it for illegal dumping and prostitution and NOTHING else!!!
My main concern is the dumping is getting worse by the DAY. It seems people think it is the new dumping site of Newcastle. You have to go and look for yourself how serious it really is. Then only you will understand why I am so concerned. The dumping takes place very close to the neighbourhood, and not very far from the new Mall.
I don’t only want to report it to you, but I am more than willing to assist you in my personal capacity to do what needs to be done. In the first place a new board that states that dumping is illegal needs to be erected as soon as possible. Secondly, the illegal road needs to be closed and made inaccessible. If you want to arrange a meeting with me, I will be more than willing to attend.
A whole truck full of rubbish was also illegally dumped in the water stream next to Hospital Street at the bridge over Sutherland Street. Is this not happening all over because no action is taken against illegal dumping? I hope to hear from you soon. This matter needs your urgent attention.
Mrs R. Schoeman
Comment from the Editor:
The letters above were sent for comment to the Municipal Communications Department on March 16. Despite Mayor, Afzul Rehman, responding to the letters, various requests to receive his response from Zandile Masondo of the Communications Department went ignored.
