Ongoing illegal dumping in Pretoria West has left local residents disgruntled. A corner section near a Shell Garage on Cnr Rebecca and Vom Hogen Street has been turned into a dumping site.
Lemon Ramatshela, a manager at the Shell garage told Gauteng News officers of the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department had previously placed a sign to warn people who dump in the area. However, it has not yielded any results as people haven’t stopped littering in the area.
” I am told by my workers that there are cars that stop late at night and dump their waste and leave. The municipality workers after collecting garage bins, they clear the area, but after a day or two, it goes back to where it was,” said Ramatshela.
Local crime activist Eric Cordier said that the Shell garage spot was not the only one that used as a dumping site but it is allareas in Pretoria West.
“Some communities in local areas where there are bushes dump their rubbish instead of putting it in bins. If bins are full – why do they not put the waste inside black plastic bins to avoid unnecessary dumping,” said Cordier.
Sinovuyo Godo, a local resident said that she had noticed dumping had gotten worse over the past three months.
“Every day when I come from work there I see rubbish strewn all over the place. These people should take note that it can cause health hazards especially for vulnerable individuals especially now that our country is battling COVID-19”,said Godo.
Pretoria West police Spokesperson Constable Sibongile Vuma said that they are trying their best in making sure that they find the culprits who are continuously dumping.
“With patrol vehicles being deployed daily around the area we will ensure culprits caught dumping will be prosecuted.The metro police according to bylaws can arrest you and a fine issued to the person”
“We also advice local residents to work together to help catch culprits who are dumping around. They can also call the Tshwane metro police Toll free 107 or 012 310 6300/540” concluded Vuma.
