Illegal dumping angers Marburg residents
There is serious apathy with regards to the upkeep and protection of the environment.
THE Umbango River Conservancy undertook to clean up a 1.1 km area in Indira and Sastri Road in Lions Grove recently.
The clean-up operation was undertaken as these areas were an absolute mess. Beer bottles, garden and household refuse, and building rubble were dumped along this area.
Morgan Naidoo, the chairman of the conservancy, said, it was a shame that the residents of these sections were the main culprits.
He said the residents failed to take responsibility and were quick to blame others.
Mr Naidoo was concerned as to the effects the pollution could have on the area. He urged residents to take care of vacant properties near their homes.
“Using vacant areas as a dumpsite is illegal,” he said.
In total, 22 bags of bottles and 50 bags of litter were collected.
Recently bags of chips were dumped by a contractor from the Marburg industrial area on the district road bordering Lions Grove and Bhobhoyi.
Two truck loads had been dumped already. During the dumping of the third load, the driver was apprehended.
Protection Services were called out. The driver was warned and instructed to remove all the litter and debris that had been dumped.
Ward 17 councillor, Ajith Rajaram, said he was aware of the on-going problem of littering and illegal dumping in the area.
“It has been brought to the attention of the cleansing and waste management department. To date nothing has been done to curb illegal dumping along these areas,” he said.
He urged anyone who comes across people dumping rubbish where they are not supposed to, to inform the municipality or community services at 039 6825555. “It is against the law and they will be fined,” warned Cllr Rajaram.
Mr Naidoo said that the local municipality must take environmental transgressions seriously.
“We will bypass local councils and address our issues at higher levels if we do not get the support we need,” said Mr Naidoo.
