eMbalenhle’s Ward 10-residents remove own garbage
“If we don’t act now, we are going to have rats the size of cats eating us and bringing diseases,” said Ms Elina Mbonani, a senior citizen.
eMBALENHLE – Ward 10 residents in eMbalenhle used a truck that they borrowed from a private company to collect waste in their ward and took it to the dumping site.
These community members said they are tired of living with garbage and accused Govan Mbeki Municipality of lying to them that waste will be collected.
“We began in January to clean up our area and the illegal dumps.
“When the municipality did not come to collect the refuse, we decided to use small cars to take the trash to the dump ourselves.
“Even now we are living with waste for almost a month again.
“They keep telling us that their trucks are broken, but that is their daily song,” said Mr Raymond Mahlangu, community leader. We decided to talk with companies that work in our ward to assist in removing waste.
“Fortunately one of them volunteered with a truck and fuel but told us to bring our hands to load the waste bags onto the truck,” said Mr Mahlangu.
Ward 10 community members were asked to take their waste to the main street, where it was easy for the truck to move.
Youth volunteered to load waste onto the truck while some older people applauded what was being done and thanked all who took part in this initiative.
“Our area was turned into a dumping site. We were even scared that we may get diseases and rats began to enjoy living in our yard because of the garbage.
“If we don’t act now, we are going to have rats the size of cats eating us and bringing diseases,” said Ms Elina Mbonani, a senior citizen.
“We wish all of eMbalenhle’s community can learn from our young leaders who want us to live in a healthy environment,” said Ms Mbonani.
“Our municipality always says people must live in a clean and healthy environment, but they cannot practice what they preach.
“We heard that they are fighting illegal dumping, but the question is this: if they don’t remove waste, how are they fighting illegal dumping?” asked Mr Jenty Mathebula, a volunteer.
These community members pleaded with other businesses to assist with PPE and other necessary equipment that can keep their area clean.
Mr Mahlangu encouraged all Govan Mbeki communities to take service delivery matters into their hands and to promote self-service instead of relying upon the municipality.
Mr Mahlangu said they are available to volunteer in any place in the Govan Mbeki municipal area to assist.
Contact them at 072 023 1693 or 0822 897 512.
