Residents petition to have Centurion recyclers removed
“The recyclers live in ghastly conditions and have no access to basic services.”
More than 1 500 Doringkloof residents have signed a petition to have the waste pickers staying at a so-called sorting station in Centurion removed.
The sorting station is located on a compound next to West Avenue across SuperSport Park.
The petition comes after nine months of no feedback on the matter from officials, according to residents’ representative Yvette Uys.
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Uys said it took only one week, to get 1 554 residents to sign the petition, which was submitted to the local ward councillor Gert Visser.
She said the problems with the waste pickers living in the area could no longer be ignored.
“The current premises cannot sustain the number of people currently living there, believed to be around 180,” said Uys.
“The recyclers live in ghastly conditions and have no access to basic services.
“They live on the banks of the struggling Hennops river and below the flood line which could have devastating effects during the rainy season.”
Uys said the recyclers created health issues while burning plastic.
Crime had also become a problem in the area, according to Uys, with the spot being identified as a major source of crime and crime-related activities.
“Our petition calls on the Tshwane metro to honour their constitutional obligation and uphold the rights of all citizens to a clean, safe, healthy and sustainable environment.
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“Residents had proposed a possible relocation site which would have been more suitable in October 2018 and again in March 2019.”
During his state of the capital address Tshwane mayor Stevens Mokgalapa said the informal recyclers, who operated from the side of the road, would be moved to more “formal” spots.
“At this stage, it appears these recyclers, despite the service they render, are on every street corner,” said Mokgalapa.
“Yes, they are performing an entrepreneurial role but this must be done in an orderly manner which keeps the metro clean.
“We will also need to consider waste-to-energy alternatives in finding solutions to informal recyclers.”
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