Resident worries dumping site will cause spontaneous fire
Bonolo Matlala*, who lives in Batloung Street, next to the AME Church in Ikageng, is one person who says the dumping site in her area has become unbearable.
Illegal dumping sites continue to be a growing problem in Potchefstroom.
Bonolo Matlala*, who lives in Batloung Street, next to the AME Church in Ikageng, is one person who says the dumping site in her area has become unbearable.
Being a resident for almost three years, Bonolo says she can never get used to the horrible smell. “We are suffering; this situation is sickening most of the time. You even smell it in the house,” she said.
The dumping site, which grows by the day, is filled with all sorts of rubbish from faeces to broken glass. A few minutes there and you’re unable to breathe.
Bonolo adds that the residents of Ikageng, in particular, have a bad habit of tossing their garbage “on the go”. “Some do it because they don’t feel responsible for public areas like streets and parks,” she adds.
“I can no longer deal with the unhygienic living conditions that are caused by people who disregard the well-being of others,” she lamented. “It baffles my mind that it is situated directly in front of a school and yet no one takes it seriously.”
Bonolo says she is especially annoyed because people who add to these illegal dumping sites know exactly what they are doing.
“The lack of support from the municipality irritates me even more. They even know me by name but the only answer I get repeatedly is, “we will come and clean it up,” she added.
“It is only by God’s grace that we haven’t fallen ill because people often throw anything from dead rats to dirty diapers in the area.”
Bonolo worries that the odds of fire will increase if the illegal dumpsite is left unchecked. In such an event, Bonolo, who lives directly in front of the site, would be the first to be affected.
The Herald asked the municipality for comment but had received none by the time of going to print.
* Not her real name.
