Waste crisis puts local businesses under growing pressure

Areas that should be thriving business hubs are instead being overshadowed by the growing problem of illegal dumping.

Local businesses are struggling to operate efficiently as mounting piles of illegally dumped waste create daily challenges, threatening their growth, sustainability and ability to attract customers.

Business owner Pule Sithole, who sells street food, including pap served with head meat, liver and heart, said illegal dumping has made it increasingly difficult to operate his business.

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He explained that because he prepares and sells his food on the street, the unhygienic conditions created by illegally dumped waste pose a major challenge and discourage customers.

Sithole said many of his customers no longer choose to eat at the seating area because of the foul smell caused by the dumped waste.

He added that the dumping creates extra work for business owners, who clean the area every day, only for people to return and dump more rubbish.

“We try to clean this place before we start work every day, but it’s difficult to keep it clean because people keep dumping waste here. It’s also not easy for us to relocate because many of our customers know us at this spot. If we move, we risk losing even more customers,” said Sithole.

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He added that illegal dumping has had a negative impact on his business, often resulting in lost income as customers choose not to stop or dine in the area because of the unhygienic conditions.

The effects of illegal dumping are also being felt at Isibaya in Emdeni, a local business hub that serves as a secure parking area for taxis and a workspace for mechanics repairing vehicles.

Head mechanic Makhosonke Maseko said illegal dumping near the hub has put their health at risk, as they are forced to work in an environment affected by waste and poor hygiene.

Maseko said they are also struggling with a damaged sewer system that leaks sewage into the area.

He said the ongoing problem has contributed to the site becoming an illegal dumping hotspot, with community members adding more waste to an already unhygienic environment, creating further health and safety concerns for those working at the hub.

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“The situation has put our health at risk, with more than two of our employees experiencing health problems because of the illegal dumping around our workplace.

“We also cannot upgrade our facility because of the waste surrounding our premises, which creates an unsafe and unhealthy environment. We are trying to run our business and provide services to the community, but these conditions make it difficult for us to operate properly,” said Maseko.