The business of illegal dumping
A LUCRATIVE illegal dumping business has emerged in Empangeni, causing perpetual grief and health hazards to residents.
Frustrated homeowners from the Panorama area say a major dumping site is operating just metres from their homes, next to Kritzinger Road.
According to resident Chris Strydom (80), an Eskom servitude adjacent to his property has turned from a once beautiful park into an unsightly and unhealthy landfill, and is becoming ‘worse by the day’.
As a result, the residents suffer from various health issues related to pollution, and their homes are inundated with rats and flies.
Not only do they suffer from foul garbage smells, but palls of smoke engulf their homes when dumpers burn their debris on-site.
‘It began years ago when there were talks of a new housing development in the area.
‘They opened up an access to the area at the end of Weightman Road, and that's when people began dumping here.
‘But that’s not the only problem; when the site fills up, they are forced to make space by burning the rubbish, which includes tyres, wood, plastic and other materials,’ said Strydom.
According to Strydom, the smoke badly affects him and his 75-year-old wife.
But, while the illegal dumping aspect is a concern, there is more to it than that; it is a lucrative business.
Many dumpers are stationed daily in their bakkies and trucks opposite Kildare Café.
On investigation, the ZO took a drive to the area in question and found more than five bakkies parked in the area, the drivers carrying chainsaws and cutters for their work.
‘Residents use these operators to remove their household refuse for a fee, but instead of utilising the municipal landfill site, they dump everything next door to us.
‘We have repeatedly reported the matter to the City of uMhlathuze and other structures, but nothing has happened over the years,’ said Strydom.
He called for the matter to be addressed urgently, saying the flourishing business is crippling the city and their homes stand to drop in value.
With the growing trend of illegal dumping devastating the city, in 2020, the municipality introduced a system for landowners and developers to produce proof from the approved dump site where rubble generated from construction activities is disposed.
Illegal dumping control programmes were implemented, focusing on community involvement and targeted enforcement to eliminate or reduce the practice.
Among the action the municipality said would be taken against those contravening this law was the issuing of contravention notices and, where evidence is obtained, a Section 56 notice in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act would be issued with a spot fine.
But the practice continues, and residents are at their wits' end.