Illegal dumping continues: normal waste collection to resume soon
The ongoing unprotected strike resulted in disruption to waste collection services however, the city has been running a catch-up plan
Waste collection in the north of Pretoria is still non-existent due to the strike that has interrupted the service.
Ward 2 councillor Yolanda Duvenage announced that recently garbage trucks did not pitch up for work due to threats of intimidation, but noted that they have now returned and will be dealing with the backlog in a couple of days, including Saturday.
The lack of waste collection has forced residents to look at alternative ways of getting rid of the waste, some have opted to burning it while others dump their waste at the illegal dumpsite on Daan de Wet Nel.
These actions have added to the frustrations of the residents that drive past the area.
Tshwane spokesperson Selby Bokaba said Tshwane is aware of the persistent illegal dumping taking place in the area.
“A catch-up plan has been put in place to remove overflowing waste at the garden refuse sites.It is therefore important that the public do not undermine this effort by continuing to dump illegally at these sites.
Furthermore, it is difficult to confirm at this stage when normal services will be restored as flare-ups of strike-related incidents continue to disrupt the city’s efforts to restore normality.”
Out of frustration, a resident posted to social media about the shame of the barbarians who dump all their garbage in Daan de Wet Nel.
“You are only in the same class as those who strike, do you know how unhygienic it is, in case you forgot there are actually people living there, but you are selfish, now they have to sit with all the mess and stink, shame on you.”
Bokaba warned that Tshwane waste management by-law states “should a person be found guilty of contravening the provisions of this section, he or she shall, notwithstanding any penalty imposed on him or her by the court, remove and dispose of the abandoned waste or waste material as directed by the municipality or, alternatively, the municipality may without delay remove and dispose of the waste or waste material itself at the expense of that person including any administrative expense incurred by the municipality associated with helping or incentivising members of the public to assist in the prosecution”.
MMC for environment and agriculture management Ziyanda Zwane added that residents were encouraged to stop illegal dumping and help keep Tshwane clean.
“The city is working very hard to address challenges posed by the illegal strike including waste removal delays.”
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