Mams main road becomes dumpsite
‘We are doing our utmost best to ensure that waste is collected and properly disposed of to avoid illegal dumping from occurring within our communities,’ says the metro.
Tsamaya Road, one of the busiest streets in Mamelodi has been turned into an illegal dumping site.
This follows the ongoing strike by municipal workers, which continues to create more service delivery and other essential service delays.
The service delivery delays are now taking a toll on residents who have for the past two weeks been dumping waste on the road.
Pensioner Glen Kgabo (68) of Mamelodi East said the whole of Mamelodi is filthy and getting worse every day with more residents adding to the litter.
He said refuse bags are dumped on the pavements and the road reserve between the lanes.
Tshwane metro had since the beginning of the strike stopped collecting waste in Mamelodi.
Kgabo said the metro needed to do something very quickly before the stench on Tsamaya Road is unbearable, and waste blocked stormwater drains.
“Our health is at risk,” he said.
Resident Jane Modipa said this was not the first time people had dumped on the road but hoped that after the strike clean-ups would start.
“The community and Mamelodi stakeholders need to come together and embark on another massive clean-up campaign,” said Modipa.
She said before the strike locals had long complained about litter on the road but nothing was done to stop littering at Tsamaya Road.
Another resident, James Mkhabela of Mahube Valley, Mamelodi East said litter on the road was now almost at Mams mall.
“This is a serious health hazard,” said Mkhabela.
“Residents need to rather start burning their waste than dumping it on Tsamaya,” said Mkhabela.
Tshwane MMC for environment and agriculture management Ziyanda Zwane said the Tshwane metro regrets the ongoing disruption to the refuse collection schedule.
He said refuse removal has been severely affected by the ongoing strike in all regions since July 27, spilling over into the following weeks.
“The city would like to assure residents that we are working around the clock to implement a catch-up plan to minimise the impact of the ongoing illegal strike on refuse removal services,” said Zwane.
In the interim, refuse collection will be conducted as per the waste collection schedule from August 7.
He said that should waste not be collected in the morning, residents must keep their bins outside as the catch-up plan is extended into the evening.
“We are doing our utmost best to ensure that waste is collected and properly disposed of to avoid illegal dumping from occurring within our communities,” he said.
The metro, therefore, urges customers to refrain from illegal dumping.
“This is detrimental to the environment and well-being of communities.
“It is difficult to confirm when normal services will be restored at this stage.”
He committed the city to provide regularly updated information regarding the full restoration of services.
“The City of Tshwane understands that this is a frustrating period for residents,” he said.
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