Motorists and residents exasperated by trolley pushers
Residents have expressed grave concern about the hazardous actions of trolley pushers, who often veer into oncoming traffic, creating dangerous conditions for motorists.
Motorists in the east of Pretoria are troubled by trolley pushers inconveniencing traffic routes such as Garsfontein Road and De Villebois Mareuil Drive.
The trolley pushers are mainly unemployed and homeless people who scavenge on dumping sites and in public bins to salvage items to sell to earn an income to feed their families.
Residents in the area have expressed grave concern about the hazardous actions of the trolley pushers, who are often seen veering into the roadway and hindering traffic in their efforts to create livelihoods for themselves and their families.
Motorists say the trolley pushers are creating dangerous conditions for vehicle operators, disrupting the flow of traffic and creating congestion.
Rekord spoke to frustrated motorists and residents.
Moreleta Park resident Deirdre van Helsdingen said she had seen trolley pushers scratching in bins and removing plastic, tins and glass on several occasions.
“They then pull their trolley to Garsfontein Road, Plastic View and Cemetery View for recycling, causing illegal dumping.”
She said as they burn the stuff that they do not need, causing smoke pollution, it is a major fire risk.
Van Helsdingen said during waste removal days, it is difficult to drive on Garsfontein Road and De Villebois Mareuil Drive.
“You will have to dodge and drive with caution as trolleys are all over the road, and it seems like they are not scared of vehicles. This disrupts traffic,” she said.
Welriet NPC and LS4 spokesperson Shawn Fouché said apart from the traffic flow issues, trolley pushers also sleep all over the suburbs on the streets next to residences.
“This is a good cover for criminals,” she said.
Fouché said their trolleys were not roadworthy and often forced cars to overtake where they should not, risking lives.
She said the trolley pushers themselves put their lives at risk, as some vehicles travelling at 60/80km are suddenly forced to drive erratically.
She claimed the trolley pushers did not have control of their carts on roads.
“They overload the trolleys and often do not have control of them.”
She added that they were also overtaking sidewalks; forcing residents and school children to walk in the street, which posed a serious safety issue.
Fouché said when trolley pushers are on the road before sunrise with no lights this adds to the high risk of motorists not seeing them.
“With the current lack of streetlights making the area very dark, as well as the trolley pushers having no reflectors or lights, they are not visible until you are on top of them.”
Motorists called on Tshwane to enforce traffic by-laws.
The metro said the Tshwane Metro Police Department is engaged to ensure enforcement of the waste and road safety by-laws to discourage these activities.
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