Local news

Rotting rubbish attracts flies

Some residents of Louisiana are complaining that they live opposite a dumpsite (New Bolton Transfer Station) and are suffering because of the horrendous smell and the flies.

With the ongoing Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM) workers’ strike, it has been a full two months of ratepayers not receiving any service delivery.

Potholes are not being repaired, verges are overgrown, and the most problematic issue is that refuse is not being collected.

Port Shepstone is infested with flies as refuse has been lying on the streets for weeks.

Some residents of Louisiana are complaining that they live opposite a dumpsite (New Bolton Transfer Station) and are suffering because of the horrendous smell and the flies.

They say that they bought cans of insect spray throughout the festive season, but they have now been defeated by the flies.

Nompumelelo Mhlakwa lives opposite the site and says she can no longer survive the stench.

“We can’t open our windows or sit on the veranda because of the flies. It also smells, especially on hot days. If I could move my house, I would; this is way too much for us now.”

Mhlakwa says the issue is a big problem, and they cannot cook outside or braai because as soon as they take food out, the flies come.

Furthermore, she says that they have not had electricity since October 2024, so when they buy food, it has to be eaten on the same day.

Ward 14 committee member Mxolisi Madlala says that the community has been complaining about the issue at the dumping site.

Madlala says that this site is for certain types of refuse only.

Can collectors were spotted at the site.

“At this site, wet waste, such as nappies, sanitary towels, food containers and so on, is not allowed. Trucks are dumping anything and everything which is not allowed, and this is the reason why we have this issue.”

He says they are aware that the municipal workers are on strike, but that should not be affecting the community to such an extent that it compromises their health.

The head of department for Community Services at RNM, Mthandeni Ndwalane did confirm that the New Bolton Transfer Station is only for garden and recyclable waste.

Ndwalane says because of the current situation, RNM had to use it as a dumping site for residents so that they don’t have to drive to Oatlands landfill site in Margate.

“I have made arrangements that the refuse be cleared on Friday (10th). I have two municipal trucks that are scheduled to go there and clear the station and move the refuse to the main dumping site.”

He added that the trucks will also clear a transfer station in Hibberdene.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram

At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here.
Check Also
Close
Back to top button