No action on illegal waste dumping in Richards Bay

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GROWING by the day and causing a stink, not to mention a health hazard and eyesore, the illegal dumping site at the end of Bronze Bar in Alton is yet to be clamped down upon by the City of uMhlathuze.

‘The culprits may think their refuse is out of sight, but we who work and run businesses in the vicinity have to put up with the putrid stench, which is becoming worse by the day,’ said a disgruntled Alton business owner.

‘When will the municipality start clamping down on this? If they were vigilant in putting a stop to illegal dumping and fined the culprits, they could make some good money for the municipality, which could then be put to good use around the city.’

With the waste ranging from building rubble to bread packets, hardware-type refuse and general household waste, it appears there is no one culprit and the site looks like an unofficial landfill site.

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More illegal dumping is also taking place in Meerensee’s Five Mile Beach area, with the greenbelt covering a mountain of waste.

‘It is the responsibility of the municipality to ensure the safety and cleanliness of the city so people can live in a hygienic environment,’ said IFP ward councillor Ivan Stone.

He said the city’s ‘Champion Municipality’ status is a ‘waste’, since it ignores its residents when they report illegal dumping.

‘It is humiliating for residents that the municipality was ranked as a top municipality after the municipal audit, but officials have now forgotten their priorities,’ he said.

‘How can people be encouraged to report illegal dumping when they are ignored?’

Stone said the IFP has noted the people’s frustration and concerns.

‘We call on the uMhlathuze Municipality to provide answers and to quickly deploy the municipal waste team to clean up these areas and prevent further illegal dumping.’

While municipal workers were seen clearing litter from an open grassland in Alton yesterday (Wednesday) morning, the illegal dumping site just down the road remains in use.