Ratepayers want a sustainable solution to dirty stream
Residents who live near a stream full of waste are concerned that seasonal rain might flood their homes if the metro does not find a sustainable solution to the problem.
Ratepayers in the Moot fear the waste-filled stream near 21st Avenue north of Ben Swart Avenue might soon lead to flooding in the area.
These taxpayers are warning that if their plea for a sustainable solution is not heard before the seasonal rains worsen, slow water flow and litter might cause nearby properties to flood.
Rekord spoke to several residents about the problem and possible solutions. They chose to remain anonymous.
They are looking to the metro to employ a long-term solution to make sure the area around the stream and the surrounding neighbourhood is clear of informal settlers, recyclers and anyone who dumps rubbish into the stream.
After residents sent countless emails to ask if there was a long-term solution to ease the situation, the metro has made no commitment, although the rubbish in the stream and surroundings was removed on October 17.
While this clean-up was most welcome, said the residents, it is no real solution, because the root of the problem is not addressed.
According to the residents, the stream is being clogged up because of the illegal settlement and waste pickers in the area.
“The periodic litter picking such as on the 17th maybe happens once a year. I have witnessed more residents in the area picking up rubbish on the side of the road, than what I have seen the metro and its workers do. I personally pick up rubbish strewn in the veld across from our complex, as the metro only clears the field when they mow the lawn,” said one resident.
“I can confirm that on the 18th I saw that the spruit looked cleaner although the informal settlers are still living next to the spruit and will just continue to throw trash into the spruit. So the clean spruit is only temporary.”
For this resident, the real problem lies with the metro and police.
“Metro police, SAPS and private security companies did remove the informal settlers twice in the past 12 months only after numerous complaints from residents. It was clearly communicated that this is not effective as they return the same day,” said the resident, adding that the waste in the stream running under 21st Avenue will block flow and cause the street as well as three homes by the bank to flood.
According to residents, this possible catastrophic scenario can be attributed to especially the waste pickers who, as they sort through their collections for the day, discard unwanted objects into the stream, including bottles, polystyrene holders and all their waste.
“This is a real recipe for disaster.”
Another resident said that Tshwane director of Integrated Community and Welfare Services, Rosemary Mmantwa-Hamati, has kept them in the loop about what she was doing to get the other departments to work together to put the informal settlers in shelters.
“There is however no news on rehousing these individuals,” said the resident.
One of the residents said the trash in the stream will also get stuck in the natural growth in front of the houses and complexes in the area.
Another resident who has been living in the area since before 2020 said the illegal occupation of the area started in 2023.
“At the beginning of 2023, one or two of these individuals started living next to the spruit on the corner of Frates Road and Ben Swart. [Then] the numbers grew and the informal settlers started making huge bonfires in the fields which is a direct violation of municipal regulations,” said the resident.
What concerns this resident, is that at this time, power cable theft tripled and house break-ins also increased.
“Residents in 21st Avenue are patrolling the streets on a daily basis now,” said the resident.
The suspicions of residents that this spike in crime can be attributed to the informal settlement and the waste pickers have been reported to the metro.
“I am convinced the bin pickers are ideal informants as they know exactly which houses are soft targets or which properties are easily accessible, where and how, and they know when residents are at home or not,” said one concerned resident.
The residents are also worried about the real risk that a recyclers pulling overloaded trolleys in the street may be struck by vehicles.
They also said the piles of waste had led to a rat infestation.
The residents said the metro should find a more sustainable solution than merely just removing the illegal settlers and waste pickers when they are reported.
Tshwane spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said residents must report any fire that poses a risk to the city emergency centre on the toll-free number, 107.
He also said the metro does frequent cleanup operations together with metro police, police and private security in the Moot.
“The Environment and Agriculture Management Department also does periodic litter picking around the spruit,” said Mashigo.
“The frequent cleaning around the spruit makes it a rat-free zone.”
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