Illegal dumping and scenes of mounting waste on side roads are a common sight across numerous communities in the Cape metro.
City Vision recently received complaints from various communities on the subject and visited some of the areas for a glimpse into some of the dumping hotspots.
This is not only a health hazard for residents but also a daunting policing task for the municipality.
Across the metro, from Langa to Nomzamo, piles of rubbish can be clearly seen along some of the key routes.
While some residents refused to be interviewed, those who spoke questioned the municipality’s commitment and dedication to service delivery in the townships. In some areas residents claimed rubbish was not collected for over a month.
They said they were concerned about their lives and the risk of airborne diseases and infestation of pests such as rodents and cockroaches.
Nancy Tsheke, Zone 18 resident in Langa, claimed three weeks have passed since rubbish was last collected in the area.
Tsheke stated that the City used to collect rubbish weekly, but that has changed.
“I can’t tell you when exactly it is collected but the City’s trucks come here any time. Sometimes the rubbish stays much longer without being collected. I don’t know what is going on and no one in the community is informing us about the problem,” she said.
A livid Nophelele Jada, from Ndlovini informal settlement in Khayelitsha, said it has been nearly a month since the City last cleaned the neighbourhood.
While uncertain about the motive for the delay, Jada said there were numerous making rounds in the community.
“I heard that the cleaning company that was working here is out of contract and the City is still looking for a new company. But I don’t know why it is taking so long to hire a new company,” she elaborated.
She said the problem got worse daily, especially along the New Way Road.
At Lusaka in Nyanga, a resident who identified himself as Andy, described the illegal dumping in the area as a norm.
“MnaBra ndibona nje inkunkuma ingaqokelwa andazi kutheni. People dump rubbish and rubble near the Lusaka Stadium. Every morning, you find new piles of rubble and the City doesn’t collect it,” he said.
Andy said at times the rubbish remains on the streets for two or three weeks and questioned the motive for the delay.
The City’s mayco member for urban waste management Grant Twigg said the City is embarking on various mechanisms to improve service delivery in informal settlements. He said new contractors started on Saturday 1 July in formal areas like Langa,Nyanga, Kraaifontein, Gugulethu, Philippi, Khayelitsha, Witsands and Mfuleni.
“In Samora Machel, contractors were working in the area but experienced extortion which affected service delivery in the area. A new contractor has been appointed and recruitment for EPWP (Extended Public Works Programme) staff is underway. It is anticipated the services will start soon. The community leaders completed verifying the list of people and 26 people are to commence with work soon,” said Twigg.