Illegal dumping site pollutes river.
The Sand River is being polluted with waste coming from an open veld in Buys Street where some Westenburg residents dump their rubbish.
POLOKWANE – The Sand River is being polluted with waste coming from an open veld in Buys Street where some Westenburg residents dump their rubbish.
The veld is on the corner of Buys and Peters Street.
Residents living in the area say they are not the culprits that dump their waste there. They say residents from other parts of Westenburg who are too lazy to walk to the dumping site to dump their rubbish are the guilty parties.
One resident who wishes to stay anonymous out of fear of being victimised says the residents removed the municipal notice board that warns that fines will be issued for illegal dumping.
“The people dump nappies, broken furniture, dead dogs and other rubbish on this piece of land. Sometimes there is an unbearable stench, especially on hot days,” the resident says.
When Review visited the site, there was an old mattress, an old washing machine and other kinds of waste dumped.
The alleged illegal dump site is next to the Sand-river and some of the rubbish is floating down the river.
Matshidiso Mothapo, municipal spokesperson, says the municipality will send officials from the waste section to investigate and clear the area.
“We urge the community to help stop this illegal dumping by reporting anyone who is seen dumping on any site that is not identified for waste dumping.
“The municipality collects waste on Thursdays in Westenburg and there is also a transfer station for general waste that must be utilised for this purpose,” Mothapo explains.
He says incidents of illegal dumping can be reported to the municipality at (015) 290 2366/7 or 083 670 6778.
“All reports received will be followed up. Anyone found dumping illegally will face a R1 000 fine. It is important for residents to note that illegal dumping is harmful to the environment and also affect their health in a negative way.”
