All eyes on Tweni’s illegal dumpers

MASSIVE strides are being taken to improve the leafy village of Umtentweni.

To this end, residents are urged to do their bit by not dumping refuse and rubble at the recycling depot in Commercial Road and also by making sure they dump their garden refuse at the New Bolton Garden Refuse site, which is on the way to Burry Stander Bike Park.

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Everyone is encouraged to attend the ratepayers’ meeting at the Tweni library on Wednesday, September 5 at 5.15pm.

At the meeting, input on the relocation of the recycling bins and the removal of concrete bins in the residential area will be invited.

Derrick Morris, chairman of the Umtentweni Ratepayers’ Association said residents, ratepayers and business owners were sick and tired of illegal dumping making their town an eyesore and as a result, a petition was signed by ratepayers and submitted to Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM) for action.

RNM municipal manager, Max Mbili, responded by submitting an action plan to the association.

The plan will become a working document which will be reported on every three months.

The following points are included in the action plan:

* The non-adherence to refuse collection schedules

* Illegal dumping

* Prosecution for illegal dumping

* Naming and shaming of companies and people

* Erection of signage indicating fines for dumping

* Non-cleaning and servicing of the New Bolton Transfer Station (hours/security)

* A legal transfer station between Port Shepstone and Umtentweni planned for the next financial year

* Vagrants and illegal dwellers

* The management of Umtentweni beach and ablution blocks

* Plot clearing

Mr Morris said Mr Mbili had assured ratepayers that disciplinary action would be taken against any RNM staff who did not abide by this action plan.

Immediate action plan:

* Some dustbins on major routes in and around Tweni and Port Shepstone were removed on Monday this week due to illegal dumping.

* The recycling bins will be temporarily relocation to New Bolton due to illegal dumping and vagrants rummaging through these bins at night and on weekends. This site will be monitored by security guards during operating hours and locked at night.

* New Bolton has been increased in size to accommodate more garden refuse. Frequent emptying will now take place.

* Prosecution for illegal dumping. This is a quick solution until such time as a legal transfer station can be built, in the new financial year.

* As per schedule, specific days have been allocated for refuse collection, and those found leaving refuse out over weekends or after the scheduled collection times will be identified via CCTV cameras and will face prosecution.

* Three people have already been prosecuted for dumping at the recycle bins in Commercial Road.

* Business owners and bodies corporate are to uphold the by-laws regarding illegal dumping and the depositing of garbage bags on pavements on non-collection days.

* Areas of concern will be under 24 hour camera surveillance.

* Certain security companies will be appointed by RNM and will be required to submit the registration numbers and photographs of those who dump illegally or leave refuse bags out after collection or on weekends.

* People living in areas outside Tweni and Port Shepstone and who dump next to dustbins, on the side of the road or in the bush will be prosecuted and charged for the removal of such items by a private company.

* Residents are requested to report illegal dumpers to their ratepayers’ association.

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