Uncollected garbage a hazard, residents worry
AS UNCOLLECTED garbage piles for a second week up on pavements in Sherwood, Chesterville, Mayville and Bonela, the concern of residents, schools and businesses in the affected areas is growing.
They say the stench and mounds of garbage are a growing health hazard.
DA ward 30 councillor Warren Burne said he was aware of the problem and the frustrations of residents, but his formal complaint to the ethekwini Municipality’s city manager this week did not receive a response.
Burne said the cause of the uncollected garbage seemed to be that some of the refuse collection contractors had not been paid.
“I also heard that someone’s truck had broken down. I don’t know whether it was a DSW (Durban Solid Waste) truck or a private contractor’s,” he said.
About the non-collection of refuse, he said, it was only in Bonela and in the Habitat For Humanity part of Sherwood.
“In Bonela, I saw DSW collecting the domestic refuse early on Sunday. I expected refuse in the Habitat For Humanity area would also be collected, but that does not seem to have happened. I don’t know why,” he said.
A resident at 45th Cutting in Sherwood said the unattended waste attracted flies and diseases were spread this way.
Ratepayers deserved services equal to their contribution, he said.
ethekwini spokesperson Tozi Mthethwa confirmed a disruption of services by the cleansing and solid waste unit in Mayville, Chesterville, Bonela and Sherwood, but did not give further details.
“The problem has been addressed and services are back to normal. There is a backlog. We ask residents to be patient.” – Nkululeko Nene