Illegal dumping in the Zeiler canal, west of the city, has become worse, say residents.
Shawn Vermeulen, of DJ Pawn Brokers, said it was not only rubbish, but animal carcasses were now also being dumped.
“The illegal dumping is getting out of hand and we need desperate help,” said Vermeulen.
“It is the same routine every day. Once they dump the rubbish, they set it alight. The smoke travels into my shop and it is not good for business.”
Vermeulen’s store is across the street from the canal.
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He said he was also concerned about the condition of the road.
“The more rubbish piles up in the canal, the more the road sinks in.”
“There are a lot of trucks driving up and down the street and I think the combination of the weight and the illegal dumping is disastrous.”
Vermeulen said the dumping had worsened since February.
Local resident and anti-crime activist Eric Cordier also expressed concern about the health ramifications of the dumping.
“The canal flows directly into the Apies river, which flows into the Bon Accord dam,” said Cordier.
“The water of the Bon Accord dam becomes our drinking water.”
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Cordier said a big part of the Zeiler canal had already been closed off.
“There were talks a while back of the whole canal being closed but I do not know when that will happen.”
In a previous article, Vermeulen told Rekord the illegal dumping had become an eyesore for him and his clients.
Another resident, Steven Stapelberg said the dumping posed health threats to residents and school children.
“My main concern is for the learners of Hoërskool Pretoria West. They have to pass in front of the canal and a lot of things can happen,” he said.
“They could get sick because of the bad smell or they could get robbed by the nyaope boys roaming around.”
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Cordier said the safety of residents was important.
“It is time we take back our neighbourhood. Action needs to be taken against these people who dump their rubbish in front of our yards,” he said.
“There are rats in the canal.”
The canal was cleaned in November but dumping had since continued.
The Tshwane metro could not be reached for comment at the time of going to print.
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