Illegal dumping and squatting blamed for Silverton’s dirtiest street

Now a new home for vagrants, Moreleta Street in Silverton, has been labelled the dirtiest street in the suburb.

The street, which runs alongside the railway line, is littered with piles of waste, rubble, and makeshift shelters, and is used as an illegal dumpsite by some residents.

Residents have raised concerns about the health and safety risks the site poses, claiming that some of the vagrants also use drugs and leave syringes scattered around the area.

Marietjie Deventer, who runs regular clean-up campaigns through her NPO, The Sparkling Clean Silverton Group, said the state of Moreleta Street has worsened drastically.

“This has to be one of the dirtiest streets in Silverton. This area has been a home to us for almost 50 years, but this neglect is far worse.”

Deventer said she was shocked by the deteriorating state of the street, even though she tries everything to keep the Silverton suburb clean.

She said many homeless people and informal waste pickers contribute to the issue, collecting garbage and sorting it on the streets, leaving behind only the trash that is not valuable to them.

Deventer said some residents also contribute to the matter as they dump both rubbish and unwanted items there.

“This is then used by the illegal squatters to build shacks and sort out the waste, leaving a huge mess.”

According to Deventer, they tried to reach out to the mayor in May to find solutions to deal with the illegal squatters and dumping, before it became a permanent problem.

“We sent the mayor an email on May 11, and we followed up, and still, to this day, she ignores us.

“Tshwane is aware of the squatters living there, and the trash they leave behind, but we receive no support from Tshwane, TMPD, Social welfare, or Health and Safety.

“I am not sure if anyone is capable of doing their jobs,” she explained.

Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said it has noted, through its Environment and Agriculture Management (EAM) Department, the concerns raised about the state of cleanliness in Moreleta Street in Silverton, particularly the section leading to the railway station.

“The city wishes to assure the public that it has not allowed the street to deteriorate into neglect,” Mashigo said.

He said, in fact, regular cleaning and maintenance are undertaken in this area.

“The most recent thorough clean-up of Moreleta and Plantation streets was conducted on September 1, and the city continues to implement weekly cleaning operations to keep the environment safe, clean and conducive for both residents and commuters.”

Mashigo further said, unfortunately, the city faces challenges in Morelata Street, as the vicinity near the railway station is frequently occupied by vagrants who use it as a sleeping ground, often leaving waste behind.

“While the city does not have the resources to conduct daily cleaning in one spot, broader interventions are being implemented to address the situation.”

Mashigo said the interventions include:
– Weekly clean-up operations in Silverton and surrounding areas.
– Daily clearance schedules to combat illegal dumping across the region.
– Collaboration with metro police for by-law enforcement and the safe removal of vagrants from the area.
– Community-supported clean-up campaigns.
– Encouraging active resident participation in maintaining clean environments.

He further emphasised that sufficient resources are allocated during these cleaning operations to ensure that visible results are achieved.

“The ongoing partnership between the city, law enforcement, and the community is crucial in preserving the cleanliness and safety of Moreleta Street and its surroundings.”

Mashigo added that the metro remains committed to ensuring that Silverton, and all areas across the capital, are well maintained and remain safe, clean and welcoming spaces for residents, commuters and visitors.

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