Residents work together for a cleaner environment
An illegal dump was cleaned up by residents of Extension eight.
Residents of Extension Eight who have been living next to an illegal dumpsite for years, have taken it upon themselves to clean up a long stretch of waste.
“We are tired of living in this,” said Yasmien Younes who alleges she has a chest infection because of the dump.
It is their third attempt at cleaning the area and on Thursday, 57 people gathered for the two day clean up. Residents up to the age of 70 years helped with the cleaning up. Pikitup assisted with the operation by removing the collected rubbish. The walkway that was cleaned up is an unsafe area and residents say that if it is kept clean the crime would drop.
“We have been robbed many times but if we keep this area clean and have patrollers here, we will feel safer,” Younes said.
They are appealing to residents to stop using the walkway as a dumpsite. Residents have solutions to keep the area safe and clean but need the help of council. They are appealing for the entrances to be closed up so that cars and people with pikitups cannot enter the walkway. Ward Councillor Michelle Valentine said it would be a pleasure for the entrance to be closed off to vehicles but using fence would interfere with the look of the park. Residents are also appealing for donations of grass and paint for the area to look decent. Valentine said she is pleased with the progress of the cleaning up of the area.
“The walkway will be green soon and I will be liaising with Pikitup to deal with the dumping,” she said.
