AfriForum demands answers from metro following Valhalla fire
"It is shocking that the metro can allow that refuse and tyres are dumped in the park."
AfriForum wants the Tshwane metro to account for the state of the Montague Kneen Park in Centurion, where firefighters recently struggled for days to extinguish a burning pile of discarded tyres.
The fire left the area in Valhalla under smoke for days.
On 23 July, AfriForum directed a letter to the metro about the state of the park after community members and other role-players approached them for assistance.
“Building rubble and tyres have been illegally dumped in the park for several months,” said AfriForum spokesperson Sampie Steinberg in a press release.
“AfriForum will continue placing pressure on the metro so that the appropriate by-laws will be upheld. We will proceed to support communities and together work on solutions.”
The organisation has granted the metro until Thursday to present an action plan to prevent the fires and dumping in the park.
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On 4 July, a cloud of black smoke filled the air when tyres, which were dumped in the park illegally, were set alight.
The organisation said the smoke from the fire presented a safety hazard to residents in the area.
“Without the necessary control and supervision, various types of refuse are now being dumped in the park. It subsequently creates an unbearable stench for the nearby residents. Illegal structures were also erected in the park, which further contributes to safety hazards.”
AfriForum said the refuse and tyres make it nearly impossible to round up criminals in the area.
“Vehicles are unable to follow them when they flee into the park.”
He said AfriForum was making an urgent plea to the metro to find solutions to these problems, as well as to present its plan with regards to how these problems will be dealt with in future.
“It is shocking that the metro can allow that refuse and tyres are dumped in the park. AfriForum will do everything in its ability to ensure that the problem is solved,” AfriForum district coordinator JP Nel added.
Tshwane metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo responded on request about AfriForum’s allegations.
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“The park will be maintained. This will be done through our region 4 municipal office (according to our weekly plan operation activities), provided the ongoing labour unrest ends,” he commented.
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