Block NN residents take matters into their own hands
“Residents are forced to dump their rubbish in the open space because of a lack of service delivery and the confusion that is currently happening in the Tshwane municipality.
The community of block NN in Soshanguve has cleaned an illegal dumping site in their area this week.
On Thursday, residents said they were fed up with the open space where others had decided to dump their rubbish, creating an eyesore and a bad smell.
Residents claimed the dumping had been happening since before the start of the nationwide lockdown.
“Our area was dirty for more than six months and no one cared for us,” community member Thabo Motsepe said.
“The place was even smelling and it was becoming dangerous for our health and our kids’.”
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Motsepe said residents were forced to dump their rubbish in the open space because of a lack of service delivery and the confusion that is currently happening in the Tshwane municipality.
“We are told that councillors are no longer responsible for our wards and the administration are now in charge but we don’t see them at all.
“This area can cause illnesses like bronchitis and asthma. Covid-19 was our major fear since we were told to wash our hands regularly but the area we are staying in is stinky and dirty.”
Motsepe said whoever was seen dumping in the veld would be reported to authorities and the community will take the dirt straight to their houses.
He urged the city to take the issue of service delivery seriously and to work with them as a community to keep the area clean.
“The municipality must provide service delivery, we really need their support, we cannot do it on our own. It is not a favour. It is our rights to stay in a healthy area. Service delivery must be implemented in our area.
“We will be continuing with cleaning these dumping sites because our aim is to make our area clean.”
Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said in recent months they experienced labour unrest which contributed to waste collection and management backlog.
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“The challenge was compounded by the lapsing waste management tender. However, the metro is addressing the related challenges as per the aforementioned spot that have been cleared. The said spot will be looked into.”
Mashigo said illegal dumping is rendered through appointed service providers within the metro.
“The regional illegal dumping schedule developed per region to clear the spots is once a week.”
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