Dudley Street dump site a cause for concern
Situated just across the Dudley Street Cemetery in Wentworth, the area has been an eyesore for several years and is currently at its worst.
WITH garbage and waste increasing by the day, the corner of Dudley Street and Thorn Road in Wentworth has become an illegal dump site. Nearby residents have expressed their concern and shared their failed attempts to contact Durban Solid Waste (DSW) for assistance.
Situated just across the Dudley Street cemetery, the area has been an eyesore for several years and is currently at its worst. Both domestic and industrial waste can be found there, dumped by local residents as well as local businesses.
Although it is no small feat, DA PR ward councillor, Sthembiso Ngema, is determined escalate the issue, which is a growing hygiene and environmental threat, to relevant municipal departments. He also hopes to get like-minded stakeholders on board to clean up the area.
“The municipality has a responsibility to ensure that law enforcement holds any person or any business that dumps at the site accountable and even fined if need be. They could even consider installing a camera in order to identify the culprits. They need to send a message to the local community that illegal dumping is wrong and needs to stop.” 
Ngema also stressed the importance of educating communities on the dangers of illegal dumping as a key resolution to this overlooked offense. “This common habit of dumping rubbish wherever we go is not right. It is dangerous to the people and the environment. There is a lot of recyclable waste here which has the potential to do so much more than just contribute to the rising levels of pollution.
“It is important that the city drives programmes that teach people about waste management and recycling, and further provide facilities that will allow people to partake in these activities. Local businesses in this area also need to come on board to address this issue.
“There must be a collective effort from all role players as well as a political will. Without this, unfortunately, we will not be able to fight this war,” he said. Efforts to contact DSW for comment proved unsuccessful by the time of going to print.
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