Sunnyside residents have come forward to defend their ward councillor on the issue of illegal dumping in the area after the metro said he was exaggerating the problem.
“Godfrey Mulaudzi isn’t exaggerating the illegal dumping in Sunnyside.
“As a Residentia resident I’ve often witnessed illegal dumping in Robert Sobukwe street by street vendors. The Walker spruit is another illegal dumping site on the northern side of Residentia in Troye street and the stench is unbearable at times,” said concerned resident Erna Venema.
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Another resident, Valentia Ngobeni, said she could not even take her niece to the park due to the litter there.
“Our parks have become a home of illegal dumping,” she said.
Ward 81 councillor Godfrey Mulaudzi said earlier that every street corner in Sunnyside was an illegal dumping spot. The metro responded that he was exaggerating.
Mulaudzi told Rekord that Sunnyside was covered with litter everywhere and that the metro took months to clean it.
He also said the metro only emptied street bins after residents and ward councillors complained.
“Street bins are not often emptied and [are] left overflowing all the time.”
He also pointed out how Robert Sobukwe Street – formerly Esselen Street – is now filthy and a health hazard due to all the trash that is not collected.
Mulaudzi said the overwhelmingly high number of illegal hawkers in Robert Sobukwe Street contributed a great deal to illegal dumping in the street.
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“They are trading in contravention of all by-laws, [with] complete disregard of our laws – making fires in the streets, selling food in the streets in front of shopkeepers … they do this by force and threaten shopkeepers and any residents who dare to complain,” Mulaudzi said.
Walkways were entirely blocked by illegal hawkers, he added.
The metro has since promised to clean the area.
Spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the problem for the metro was that when it cleaned a spot, residents started dumping again.
“We have had a broader illegal dumping clearance programme since September 2018 aimed at attending to known illegal [dumping] hotspots throughout the city.”
The metro also issued a statement last week saying it would take tough action against illegal dumpers and offenders might face a maximum of three years in prison or a R60 000 fine.
Mashigo said there were more than 600 dumping spots in the city
Illegal dumping had already cost the metro more than R12-million in the current financial year, he said.
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“During the 2017/18 financial year, the city spent R67-million on clearing illegal dumping sites.”
Agriculture and environmental management councillor Mike Mkhari said the money used on clearing illegal dumpsites could have been better used preserving and caring for the environment.
“Not only does this destroy our environment, but it also has a number of other negative effects on society,” he said.
Illegal dumping is a contravention of municipal by-laws and residents and business owners could face stiff fines and penalties.
The metro also urged the community to report illegal dumpers on 012-358-9999.
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