EVANDER – Residents have been complaining about the sad state of the town and that the Govan Mbeki Municipality does not take responsibility of maintenance.
The Ridge Times has reported about the problems regarding the rubble and dumping site in Evander many times, but the problem still persists.
House rubble was not removed from the public park in Solly Zwane Street and some of the residents said the stench is unbearable.
Building material is being dumped near the Caltex garage in Lunde Street.
“These problems were discussed with the local municipality and there was improvement, but now we are on page one again,” said Mr Themba Mlotshwa, DA councillor.
Animals drink water from the stream that is filled with rubble and their habitat is destroyed by dumped building material.
“My son and I walk in the park every Sunday and now we do not enjoy the scenery any more,” a resident said.
“The site where businesses dump their building material and house rubble used to be a public park where the community could enjoy the environment,” said Mr Mlotshwa.
“Illegal waste dumping is a scourge which needs to be discouraged since it is not only illegal, but has socio-economic and environmental consequences for us all,” said Mr Henry Masango, head of communications and marketing of the Govan Mbeki Municipality.
“Efforts are being made to remedy the situation, but with the rate at which littering is taking place, it seems as though all the municipality’s efforts are coming to nought.”
“Be it as it may, stricter law enforcement will be done to stamp out this discarding of waste,” said Mr Masango.
