Residents raise issue of illegal dumping sites in Maraisburg
Despite residents reporting the issue to the relevant authorities, the illegal activity is still ongoing.
Parks and other public spaces are supposed to be areas of beauty and relaxation, but for some Maraisburg residents, this is not the case as the act of illegal dumping is a growing concern.
Pieter Swanepoel, a resident explained the issue with the illegal dumping sites has been a concern for years, in particular the one on 6th Avenue, with no one addressing the matter, people would dump their rubbish in broad daylight without anyone stopping them – not passing motorists, nor any of employees of the surrounding businesses.
“It’s as though they don’t have any pride in what is going on in their community,” he said.
He added that the rubbish is cleaned about once a year as the dump would overflow, but the next day there would be new rubbish. He stated the matter has been reported to Ward 86 councillor Chantelle Fourie-Shawe, however, according to Swanepoel, the response was that the community should step in. He said that the community can only go so far.
According to another resident Ella Hibbert, another dumping site can be found on Du Plessis Street. She explained the dump is regularly set on fire, along with the grass and the trees, which poses a threat to the gas company close to the park. The rubbish also blocks the sewerage pipes, which causes a horrible smell.
She explained another issue with the park is the dry tree branches that could fall on a person’s car or house, as well as the inappropriate sexual acts in public, along with the abuse of drugs and alcohol.
Warren De Villiers from LPG & Industrial Gas said, “They regularly start fires there. Dumping is a big issue. I have been trying my best to stop people from dumping there, but it just doesn’t get better.”
Fourie-Shawe was not available for comment, but as soon as it is received an update will be given.
