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Amid ongoing issues of illegal dumping and disorder at the Hillwagt tip in Kariega, the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality is facing pressure from both residents and emerging farmers.
Frustrated Vanes Estate residents have long voiced grievances about the municipality’s alleged neglect of the site, leading to respiratory problems due to unattended fumes.
An anonymous resident at the estate said, “We honestly cannot continue like this. No one wants harmful waste around them, especially if it can lead to health issues. Something must be done.”
A group of emerging farmers allegedly took action, shutting down the site and demanding either privatisation or relocation to mitigate the danger posed to their livestock by frequent fires.
The Eastern Cape’s Health Department spokesperson, Sizwe Kupelo said, “We condemn any dumping of harmful and hazardous waste, and urge communities to report such to Scorpions in Environmental Affairs.”
Concurrently, another group of farmers have allegedly blocked the access road to prevent further illegal dumping.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s Mamela Ndamase said the NMBM’s Public Health Directorate started with the clearing of illegal dumping on the site and its surroundings on Wednesday, March 20, and is continuing until illegal dumping is cleared completely.
“The general illegal dumping clearing is done per depot schedule with a turnaround time of once per quarter. In addition to this, the Metro continues to educate residents about the dangers of illegal dumping and consequences.
The issue of illegal dumping is one that needs behavioural change, the Municipality continues to collect refuse across the Metro based on the weekly schedule and urges residents to refrain from the illegal act of illegal dumping,” she said.
Ndamase confirmed that the illegal cordoning off of a public area has happened, and condemned the act, “The illegal cordoning off of the site has indeed happened although it could not be confirmed who the culprits were, that created more illegal dumping on the gravel road towards the site, unfortunately their allegations could not be confirmed.
No one has a right to cordon off a public facility. The Municipality is exploring possible avenues to take legal action against perpetrators. SAPS has been approached regarding the matter,” she revealed.
Other alternatives for disposing the waste correctly include:
- Disposing the bulky waste that does not fit the refuse bag provided at the drop off site. Bulky waste bins are provided.
- The other waste that can be recycled or reused can also be disposed safely at the nearest drop off site.
- Garden Waste not exceeding one bakkie load per day is also accepted at the drop off sites.
- The landfill sites also accept garden or green waste at no cost for the load of 2tonnes or less per day.
Residents can report any transgressions of the NMBM Bylaws to 041 506 2833 during working hours. Alternatively call the toll free number for all complaints 0800 20 5050.
