Illegal dumping a health hazard

Littering is a big problem in Soshanguve. Residents and students of the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) in Soshanguve Block H and L have complained to the local municipality about the litter and waste piling up on Aubrey Matlala Road.

The road, which stretches past TUT and residential homes, is unsightly and full of rubbish. Residents complained to Record that the rubbish could be seen from right outside their gates. Decayed waste and dirty water also continue to threaten the health of residents and their children.

Prince Ndou, a resident of Block H, said illegal dumping remained a problem without a solution. “The municipality has introduced measures to improve the management of land pollution by placing dustbins in the area. Waste is to be collected weekly on Thursdays,” he said. “However, the dustbins quickly fill up and the sidewalks are used as disposal grounds,” Ndou added.

The Tshwane metro has tried to do something about the situation, and has launched a programme aimed at cleaning up the environment and ensuring that pollution and littering are kept at bay. The municipality employed residents to clean the city and surrounding townships. Clear signage was erected, which reads ‘do not dump here’, with the threat of a hefty fine for those who litter.

According to the city of Tshwane’s website, a massive clean-up campaign on Mandela Day was launched on 18 July 2014 to change the attitude of residents and businesses in the capital towards littering and illegal dumping. This campaign formed part of government’s operation clean-up for Madiba, which encouraged all South Africans to dedicate 67 minutes to clean their neighbourhoods.

On the website, Tshwane mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa encouraged residents to do their part: “Together we can change Tshwane and make it beautiful by taking time to clean up our communities. Tshwane has to take responsibility for establishing better living conditions for itself and inspire change in communities,” he said.