Unknown culprits responsible for dumping broken furniture, garden and household waste on the corner of 3rd Avenue and 3rd Street continue their illegal activity undeterred by efforts to expose the practice – to the frustration of resident Derek Chinsamy, who previously contacted the North Eastern Tribune about the issue.
“Pikitup removes the dirt, but people still continue dumping. The area now seems to have attracted rats and dirt is now being dumped outside my home,” he said.
According to spokesperson Jacky Mashapu, Pikitup has an ongoing plan to combat illegal dumping. Main roads are cleaned weekly, and Pikitup strives to instil a litter-intolerant culture through school lobbies, public notices, and work with taxi drivers, community media and ward councillors. However, residents continue to violate waste disposal bylaws.
“The battle against littering and illegal dumping… cannot be won without the active participation of the communities. Pikitup therefore urges communities, motorists and pedestrians to act responsibly and dispose of their litter in receptacles provided for litter and not on the pavements, streets and street corners,” said Mashapu.
Both Mashapu and Ward 73 councillor Marcelle Ravid responded enthusiastically to suggestions that security cameras might help catch culprits, who usually dump waste under the cover of night. While Pikitup does not have the financial capacity to install such infrastructure, cameras would allow Metro police officers to gain photographic evidence of perpetrators, without which the problem is difficult to police.
Ravid, meanwhile, urges residents and their employees to dispose of waste appropriately in bins or at municipal dumps.
“At the same time, I would like to thank all residents who take care of their verges, but remind them that a pedestrian path at least 1.5 metres wide must be left free, as per the law,” she added.
Illegal dumping should be reported to the City of Joburg call centre. If the problem is not resolved within a reasonable time, reference numbers should be escalated to local ward councillors for follow-up.
“Illegal dumping is a huge problem all over the city. If anyone can identify (anonymously, if required) these perpetrators, it will go a long way in assisting a repeat offence,” concluded Ravid.
Details: Joburg Connect 011 375 5555.
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