EMLM starts cleaning up along road leading to Ezibeleni

THE road leading to Ezibeleni seems to be much cleaner than it was two weeks ago.

The Rep recently told (“Litter outrage”, October 6) about illegal dumping along the road to Ezibeleni which was turning the area into a tip site.

Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality’s (EMLM) communications officer Gcobani Msindwana confirmed this week that 50 people from various areas who live close to the tip site, had been employed, to minimise travelling time.

“EMLM has an extended public works programme that seeks to address unemployment and ensure that the municipality delivers service to communities. Contract workers have started cleaning the area while Tarkastad and Mlungisi are in the pipeline as we are currently recruiting. They will start work this month.”

Msindwana said there was no control at the site during the municipal strike and no compaction and covering of waste had taken place. Community members started dumping waste outside the site instead of going inside as expected.

Ezibeleni ward councillor Dumisani Njozela said a call was being made to residents who dumped refuse to stop doing so in order to ensure a clean environment for all.

Msindwana said – except for businesses and service providers – the tip site was accessible free to community members disposing of household refuse, building rubble and garden refuse.

“Businesses are required to purchase a coupon from the municipal offices in order to deposit at the site. There are planned awareness programmes linked to curbing illegal dumping with signage erected to caution transgressors.”

He added that the vacant waste management officer position was limiting the number of awareness campaigns which could be conducted about keeping the environment clean.