Field turns into an illegal dump site

POLOKWANE – Pedestrians who regularly use a footpath through the field behind the scrapyards in Lood Street, Ladanna say they are finding it increasingly difficult to use this path due to illegal dumping.

“We have been using this path for years, but it is becoming more and more of a challenge with people dumping rubbish along the gravel road,” says John Mokgabelo, who uses this footpath daily. He says people also dump their rubbish in the small stream that runs through this field.

Upon investigation, Review found building rubble and household rubbish strewn over this piece of land.

Municipal spokesperson, Matshidiso Mothapo says the municipality has taken note of this illegal dumping site and will investigate the matter.

Illegal dumping has been a problem in Polokwane for a while now, with residents complaining about these sites regularly. Mothapo says the municipality relies on the public to report illegal dumping at (015) 290 2366.

He says perpetrators will be fined R1 000 and given a notice to remove the illegal dump. Should they fail to do so, they will be taken to court. “The municipality has made the landfill site available to the public for rubble dumping and the public is urged to use the available facility,” he says.

Management from businesses in the area, who prefer to stay anonymous say they dispose of all unwanted materials in a legal way and believe the municipality should raise the fines when it comes to illegal dumping to show that they are serious about the environment.