Rubbish dump force vendors to shut shop
Street vendors operating next to the Angelo Railway Station are praying for a time when the illegal rubbish dump beside their businesses is removed.
In the meantime, the vendors are forced to operate their businesses next to the putrid stretch of rotting litter, along with a plague of flies and rats.
One street vendor, Lungisani Mrwabo, who has been running a small business – selling fruit, sweets and other items – revealed the horror of operating beside the ever growing mountain of rubbish, which keeps catching fire.
Frustrated Mrwabo said the dump casts blight on the businesses, and the overpowering smell has stopped most of their potential customers from buying from them.
This has caused their daily turnovers to plummet by more than 50 per cent.
“It’s disgusting, the smell is too much – I can’t blame people for not buying from us anymore,,” he says.
“We get more flies and rats round here than we used to; I have tried to clean the place and discourage people from dumping their rubbish, but they threaten me and continue dumping.
“You can see it yourself that the dump has grown in such a way that I can’t remove it with my hands anymore.
“There is nothing I can do, I’m not a law-enforcement officer, I’m just a street vendor trying to make a living for my family.
“It’s a nightmare. It’s been like this for years – and shows no sign of being moved.”
According to Mrwabo, other vendors decided to close down after refusing to live with this huge mountain of rubbish.
The dump is full of all types of rubbish, from rotting household and industrial waste, discarded nappies, food and old clothes, to broken bottles and plastic bags, filth and much more.
Rats were seen scavenging in clear view, while people, including children, were also seen scavenging through the garbage, with no protective clothing.
One of the community leaders, Solly Nonyane, described the situation as ”horrible”.
“You can’t even eat next to the area because of the smell,” he said.
”Daily, the children of Angelo play in the dump among glass, used condoms and harmful waste while their parents wade through the rubbish scavenging for recyclable material.
He said unknown trucks regularly arrive to dump waste.
According to Nonyane, for years companies have been dumping their rubbish, including toxic, waste illegally in Angelo.
“Authorities have known about the problem for years, yet done nothing about it — even though dozens of children were burnt by toxic waste last year, and one of them died due to the acid burns.
”Our children don’t have playgrounds and it’s difficult to monitor them at all times,” said Nonyane.
* Toxic waste victim
Lehlohonolo Maile spent months in hospital fighting for his life after he was burnt by the toxic waste, while playing on the dump during the end of last year.
Another victim, Shonani Makamo, died after being burned by the chemicals while playing on the dump a couple of months ago.
“He sustained third degree burns and was taken to hospital, but died a few weeks later,” said Paul Mlambo of his son’s death.
Angry residents of the area met with their ward councillor and municipal authorities to discuss the matter on June 30.
Concerned residents demanded that the chemicals be removed and major plans be put in place to stop trucks from entering the area with their dangerous waste.
During the meeting, municipality’s Environmental Department’s Rhulani Mathe told the Advertiser that they are working on the illegal dumping issue in the area.
“The property owners have already hired a security company to block the trucks that are said to be dumping illegally and we are urging the community to work with us and report anyone who dumps waste illegally.” – @FanieFLK
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