Illegal dumping is a widespread practice in this township and surrounding informal settlements, with tons of waste being dumped on vacant land and even on the side of the roads.
Crawford condemned this practice as disgraceful and appalling.
“These people who dump show a blatant disregard towards our community and the environment. It’s completely unacceptable.
“The landfill sites are ugly and a health risk to the community. The dump sites have become a habitat for rodents, posing a danger of spreading epidemic diseases,” said Crawford.
Crawford said the unabated mounting of household rubbish and rubble in the township has become a major concern.
“Residents must remember that dumping trash and other debris in places not designated for waste is dangerous for everyone, and the consequences are devastating.
“I have, in the past, asked the local Environmental Health Department to assign its workers to take the waste and debris to the legal dumping yard, however, the practice of illegal dumping continues because some people still choose to dump illegally,” he said.
Although the metro collects rubbish on a weekly basis, illegal dumping appears to be getting worse in Reiger Park.
There are mountains of trash dumped at empty spaces near schools, churches, shops, the Reiger Park clinic and public parks.
According to a concerned resident, who runs a business next to one of the illegal dump sites on Leon Ferreira Road, he has witnessed many people, including a local shop owner, disposing their trash there.
The resident has urged Crawford to ensure that stringent action is taken against the people who spoil the environment, because he believes that lack of prosecution is part of the problem.
“Many people in the township dump rubbish illegally, but they are hardly brought to justice or fined for breaking the law.”
Crawford encouraged residents to report incidents when they see people dumping illegally. – @FanieFLK
