Pollution crisis at Laser Park
Illegal dumping remains a huge concern as business owners address dumped substances in a river.
An escalating environmental concern has sparked outrage from both residents and business owners of Laser Park about an ongoing pattern of illegal dumping along the river connecting Coleen Road and Liner Street.
The problem was first noticed by business owners pointing to a specific company which has been illegally dumping waste into the river, causing significant ecological damage and contaminating clean water.
According to Laser Park Business Association (LPA) director Cameron Jody Robey and administrator Nazreen Ismail, this particular company was previously spoken to in the previous year when a stream of substances was seen coming from their drainage system and flowing down the road.
Also read: Illegal dumping plagues Magnum Road
Ismail added that they started noticing the water in the river change colour and plastic vape bottles scattered across the area. The company in question continues to illegally dump their vape bottles in the river with no remorse for the environmental damage it can cause.
“Apart from the vape bottles, we have also seen paint tins thrown in the river, as well as vagrants making that particular river their place to reside by leaving their clothes and some of their belongings. Laser Park is a place of business, and we must ensure the area surrounding us looks pleasing to our clients and our community.
“The LBA has taken the initiative to work alongside the Toolbox Team to clean up the area because we have attempted several times to get law enforcement involved, and no action has been taken. Thankfully, we are trying to work together to keep our community clean and rid of such environmental hazards. This is clean water and a beautiful place which is being damaged,” Ismail adds.
The Roodepoort Northsider has sent questions to both the JMPD spokesperson, Xolani Fihla, and Johannesburg City Parks and Zoos spokesperson, Jenny Moodley, for comment on the increase of illegal dumping, predominantly in greenbelts and rivers in the Northside area.
A follow-up article will be published as soon as the Northsider receives a response.
