Tons of waste cleared on Garstfontein Road
The metro warns anyone caught dumping illegally will be served with a hefty fine and more patrols will be done to deter further dumping
Waste pickers and residents in the east of Pretoria have been warned to stop dumping waste illegally along Garstfontein Road, following the massive week-long clean-up recently.
The bushes along Garstfontein Road had been turned into illegal waste sorting sites and residents of the nearby informal settlements, Plastic View and Cemetery View have added to the dumping issues.
Roleplayers, including the Tshwane metro, TMPD, ward councillors, business owners and volunteers, came together to clear the waste that had been dumped illegally.
WATCH GARSFONTEIN ROAD CLEAN UP:
They also cleaned up a nearby stream that had been contaminated.
According to the metro, this initiative is part of a broader effort to tackle illegal dumping and address pollution as well as environmental hazards caused by uncontrolled waste accumulation along this route.
Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said illegally dumped waste from the nearby stream was removed.
Mashigo said the metro has been focused on areas like Garsfontein and surrounding neighbourhoods where illegal dumping, including building rubble, has been a persistent issue.
There are illegal dumping sites and water connections along Garsfontein Road from Woodlands Boulevard towards the Hills. Please attend to it and also put street lights on the same stretch of the road.
— Her Royale Highness Tsonga Village Girl 🖤💚💛🇿🇦 (@Cathy_SM1) September 16, 2024
“The initiative involves collaboration between different municipal departments, including waste management, by-law enforcement and environmental inspectors.”
Mashigo said to prevent the recurrence of illegal dumping, the city is implementing several measures. These include issuing fines to offenders caught in the act of dumping, regularly patrolling hotspots as well as actively engaging with local communities through campaigns like the Rekaofela clean-up initiative.
He said waste pickers have been warned to remove waste within a set period of time to reduce the amount of accumulating refuse. The metro is also considering the establishment of sorting facilities to help manage waste better.
Mashigo said the clean-up involved a multi-departmental task force, including Waste Management Teams, the metro police, environmental compliance officers, ward councillors and the regional head.
“Resources included waste removal equipment and manpower dedicated to clearing debris. The manpower involved in these operations was substantial.”
He said the clean-up initiative is not a once-off event.
“The metro has committed to regular clean-ups, especially through the Rekaofela campaign, which includes weekly initiatives for a month in each targeted region.”
He added that these clean-up operations are paired with longer-term strategies that focus on enforcement and community engagement so that communities can join forces with the city in keeping our opening spaces free of waste.
Fidelity ADT Garsfontein collaborated with CPF members, SAPS, and Crime Prevention Wardens to clean up Garsfontein Tweefonteinspruit. Creating a safer community for you and your loved ones.#FidelityADT #Garsfontein #Gauteng #safetyfirst #FidelityServicesGroup #WeAreFidelity pic.twitter.com/1a2hVG45mq
— Fidelity Services Group (@Fidelity_Secure) November 18, 2024
“The city is in the process of identifying properties for the establishment of sorting facilities that will be used for sorting of waste.
This will, in turn, address uncontrolled and unauthorised sorting activities.”
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