In less than one month, the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality’s public health department issued fines totalling R10,000 to people caught dumping refuse illegally.
The city has declared war on illegal dumping, which has not only been an eyesore but a health hazard.
Last week, public health portfolio committee chair Lance Grootboom said illegal dumping had been rapidly increasing in the Bay and on Thursday he said officials were making progress and issuing fines and warnings.
“The town rangers are patrolling hotspot areas and we have residents reporting, taking pictures and sending them and we are acting on those tip-offs and when we find them we also instruct them to remove whatever it is that they dumped,” Grootboom said.
Illegal dumping hotspots include Uitenhage, Algoa Park, Korsten, Bloemendal, Bethelsdorp extensions, Motherwell, KwaMagxaki and KwaNobuhle.
He said rangers had been allocated to Gail Road, Ibhayi, Motherwell, Uitenhage and Despatch.
“We are continuing with the campaign and the cleanup, but we need residents to work with us,” he said.
“We are going to put some systems in place such as creating more dumping points in communities in strategic places to make them within reach for everyone.”
Three months ago, Helenvale residents waged their own war on illegal dumping, with about 100 people taking to the streets to clean up near Helenvale Primary School.
Last month, KwaNobuhle residents cleaned a dilapidated house that was used for dumping, among other things.
Grootboom said: “We have issued fines ranging from R1,000 to R2,000 and so far the total fines are at R10,000. We have issued 36 warnings to minor offenders.
“But the reports are still coming for January and we should be able to make information available at the end of the month.”
Grootboom said there was a struggle in the northern areas with only two trucks operating for that area.
“Residents need to understand that we cannot keep coming back to clean the same area every day,” he said.
“There is a budget and timetable for everything and it can take up to six months for that area to be cleaned again, so people need to make use of the designated dumping sites and if refuse collection is late or delayed they must report it to the municipality.”
Grootboom said there was a focus on cleaning the city to attract investment that would ideally help the city end unemployment.
There would be ongoing campaigns to educate residents about illegal dumping and encourage collective efforts to get the Bay cleaned up.
HeraldLIVE