Illegal dumping nightmare in Naledi section

Residents of Naledi extension U in Mamelodi West are fed up with the illegal dumping in front of their homes.

The discovery of the carcass of a dog, which created an unbearable stench, led to protest action by residents this week.

They barricaded the corner of Shabangu and Ledwaba streets with stones blocking off motorists.

Nina Lehele, one of the residents who reside at Ledwaba Street, said they were tired of complaining about the same thing for more than 20 years.

“We have problems with rats and flies and the stench is unbearable,” Lehele.

She said their health was at risk.

“My four-year-old daughter recently was diagnosed with asthma because of the sprays we use in the house trying to kill flies and mosquitos daily.

“We have tried to confront these illegal dumpers but they respond by swearing at us and threaten with violence,” said Lehele.

“The culprits even dump their waste in broad daylight, while others dump at night because they don’t want to be seen and know very well that it is wrong what they are doing,” she said.

Catherine Nkwane said they had been to the municipal offices to report the matter and the waste management clean the illegal dumping site from time to time.

“Our problem is that right after Tshwane waste management have cleaned the illegal dumping site, our neighbouring residents immediately start littering again and when confronted they threaten us,” said Nkwane.

The residents said they were fed up with people illegally dumping next to their houses.

Despite the Tshwane metro cleaning, placing a fence to prevent illegal dumping, and planting trees residents continue to dump illegally.

Nkwane said they destroyed the fence, stole the trees and as for the stop littering board, it went missing without a trace.

The issue of livestock was also a serious problem on the dumping site especially cows that roam around Mamelodi eating at these illegal dumping sites.

Local ward councillor Pretty Sebotsane advised the residents to report the matter to Tshwane metro police and at Mamelodi mini-munitoria offices.

She said the issue of illegal dumping was a huge problem in Mamelodi and the residents need to unite and fight this problem together.

Sebotsane said they should report anyone found dumping at the site by taking the registration number of vehicles used to dump or follow the person after dumping take his home address and report him to Tshwane metro police.

“The Tshwane metro will issue a fine for illegal dumping on the site,” said Sebotsane.

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