The Parkwood community is putting the pressure on the local ward
councilor to do something about illegal dumping spots which has become a
norm in the area. After more than 80 residents signed a petition on the
matter, Parkwood Estate councillor for Ward 66, Melanie Arendse said
the issue is being investigated. “This is not a problem that could be
solved overnight. We have always had this problem in the area. It is the
people within Parkwood themselves who are dumping. In many cases, they
are without bins themselves,” said Arendse.
Residents were told to
go to the nearest police station and make a case stating that their
bins had been stolen. The city council would supply them with a new one
within three days. “The dumping is getting worse…Parkwood looks like a
terrible sight. Something must be done,” urged one resident Fahmeeda
Gafieldien. Arendse disputed claims by some residents that the
council’s solid waste workers only came to the area around four to five
times a year. She said the collectors came around every three weeks and
did not necessarily clean up everything. Some of this waste belongs to
what they call "specialized equipment".
The City of Cape Town
said illegal dumping remains one of its biggest challenges. In an
article issued in the People’s Post on Friday 11 November 2011, Rustim
Keraan, director of the Solid Waste Management Department of the City of
Cape Town said the Solid Waste Management Department had already
undertaken a number of initiatives to remove the dirt and dumped tyres
from the area.
The City believed that the correct disposal of
tyres will minimize tyre burning, which is an all too familiar sight
across Cape Town, for the recovery of scrap metal. In another incident, a
Parkwood resident had been caught out after residents within the
community discovered that he was collecting money for tyes to be dumped
off illegally in the area. The man was fined and is being monitored by
the police and community.
In September 2011, Solid Waste
Management Department issued fines amounting to almost R100 000 - the
majority of which were for the illegal dumping of builders’ rubble and
tyres. People within the area have also complained about children being
mugged in these lanes where dump is situated. Arendse said that once
that case has been investigated, the lanes will be closed down for sure.
“I
believe that if they all stand together and point out these guilty
people, saying that illegal dumping in the area is wrong, we will have
less problems like this,” said Arendse. She added that Parkwood can
become a beautiful place like other areas if residents take ownership.
Some people within the community have already started with gardening
projects and other safety measures.
Residents are encouraged to
report illegal dumping and to call for the dumped material to be removed
by calling the City’s Customer Care Line on 0860103089 or email to
wastewise@capetown.gov.za. VOC (Aishah Cassiem)
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