Grave situation cleaned up

PLETTENBERG BAY - Staff of the Bitou Municipality’s waste management and environmental affairs departments as well as Kwanokuthula residents got their hands dirty on 6 July when they cleaned up the Kwanokuthula cemetery which had been used as an illegal dumpsite.

The municipality’s communications team said the two departments also created awareness and educated residents about the importance of keeping Bitou clean.

“It was disturbing to see the cemetery being used as an illegal dumpsite. It is for this reason coordinators decided to involve the community in this programme,” they said.

Local ward councillor Monica Tshembese, who lives near the graveyard, also came on board. She labelled the situation as ignorance among residents who use the space as an illegal dumpsite and pleaded with the community to take responsibility. Tshembese encouraged the environmental team to continue with their “good work and also involve the community leaders in their awareness and educational programmes”.

The Kwanokuthula cemetery was a sorry sight after rubbish had been dumped there illegally.

RIGHT: Residents and municipal workers took ownership and cleaned up the mess at the Kwanokuthula cemetery.