Illegal dumping rife on Magnum Road

Illegal dumping along Magnum Road in Wilgeheuwel is a growing crisis affecting the neighbourhood.

According to Yvonne Ackerman, dumping occurs almost daily and has been ongoing for several months, often at night or in the early morning. She said waste, including garden refuse and building rubble, has accumulated to the point where it obstructs the road, emits foul odours and damages vehicles.

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“The rubble ends up in the road and scratches our cars. The smell is also unbearable,” she said.

Ackerman told the Roodepoort Northsider she has photographed individuals dumping waste and reported the incidents to the authorities, but little action has been taken. In one instance, a suspected dumper was confronted and made to remove the waste. The offenders are believed to come from various areas and continue to return.

Ackerman said the situation has also affected emergency services, with a fire truck recently unable to pass due to the road’s condition.

She further said that residents have engaged with local officials, including representatives linked to the Johannesburg Roads Agency, but there has been little progress. Closing the road is also not feasible due to nearby private schools.

Instead, Ackerman is calling for controlled access and stricter enforcement, and is urging authorities to act urgently, warning that continued neglect could render the road unusable.

The Northsider first reported on the issue in November. Pikitup spokesperson Muzi Mkhwanazi confirmed complaints have been received.

“The volume and location of the waste indicate that this is not a typical case of isolated dumping but rather a sustained and large-scale problem that requires a multi-entity approach,” Mkhwanazi said.

The Northsider also contacted the JMPD for comment, which was not forthcoming at the time of going to print.