Residents urged to stop illegally dumping waste in vacant spaces
JOHANNESBURG – Residents need constant education to make them aware of the effects of illegal dumping.
Residents are encouraged to refrain from dumping waste illegally in the open spaces or else face a hefty fine of R10 000.
This according to Ward 74 councillor David Fisher, following a recent incident where a local resident was seen dumping waste in Abbotsford along Athol Oaklands Road next to the Cydna substation and park.
According to the councillor, this has been an ongoing problem throughout the City of Johannesburg.
He said dumping waste illegally is unsightly, costly and worse, it puts residents at risk of contracting opportunistic diseases.
“This is a big problem and it needs to be resolved quickly…people need to be sensitised about the seriousness of this,” Fisher said.
“We need to make people aware of this. We urge residents to report these kinds of incidents when they happen in their areas so that those who do this can be reprimanded.”
The councillor said they also want to educate residents on the effects of littering, saying that it is also bad manners and makes their area untidy. This after a Pikitup team from the nearby Norwood depot also conducted an education drive in the area where they also did a ‘big clean-up’ in the suburbs.
Fisher praised the team, saying they responded to a request he made in record time. “On Sunday [18 February] afternoon I posted a request to Pikitup for the area to be cleared so as to discourage any further illegal dumping.
“I was very pleased to see that the Norwood depot had attended to the problem and had removed the illegal material on Monday morning – this is excellent service from a City entity and sets a very high standard.”
The team at Pikitup Norwood is responsive and diligent in keeping our suburbs clean, he added.
He urged residents who might witness any dumping in public spaces to report it by SMS to 082 719 1361.
Details: Ward 74 councillor David Fisher 082 822 6070.
How is illegal dumping impacting on your suburbs? Tell us by commenting on the story on the North Eastern Tribune Facebook page
