Illegal dumping in a canal near Danube Road, in Surrey Estate, has caused a “mosquito plague” so bad that nearby residents say they struggle with day-to-day living.
Residents could not keep their windows closed throughout the day, said Ebrahima Stemmet, adding that he did not want to keep using insecticides as he feared they would make his grandchildren ill.
His 22-month-old granddaughter already struggled with a skin condition because of the mosquito bites, he said.
“It’s a terrible problem. You can’t sleep. You can’t even use the bathroom in peace. I must permanently walk with a small towel around my neck to swat the mosquitoes away. Some of us have young children and grandchildren and it is sad to see them subjected to these mosquito bites. I don’t even have to go into the details of the potential health risks involved given the state of the canal,” Mr Stemmet said.
Illegal dumping in the stormwater canal, which runs from Manenberg to Athlone, has been a problem for many years, according to the residents.
Vernon October said people in informal settlements dumped in the canal because they had no refuse-removal services.
“We have cars, so if we have a load of garden refuse, for example, we can drive to a city facility, but people who live in informal settlements cannot necessarily do that.”
Apart from the mosquitoes, the illegal dumping also leaves a terrible stench, and residents fear a possible rat infestation.
Mr Stemmet said that as a community representative, he and others had met with City officials who had promised regular clean-ups and fumigation of the canal but they hadn’t happened.
“We even drew up a petition in 2020, but nothing came of it. This just demonstrates how long we have been battling with the same problems year after year,” Mr Stemmet said.
The City did not respond, by time of publication, to questions about clean-ups at the canal, but, in a statement, mayoral committee member for urban waste management Grant Twigg urged communities to get more involved in keeping their neighbourhoods clean.
“People who litter and dump often justify their behaviour in terms of dissatisfaction with government, but they do not think about the impact on the surrounding community. If residents play a more visible and active role in keeping their areas clean, they will notice the difference that it makes, and it will help show the impact littering and dumping have on our communities.
“Littering and illegal dumping in public spaces continues to be an issue across the city, and it is unacceptable. Hence I am now calling on our Solid Waste By-law Enforcement Unit to increase their issuing of fines to those who transgress our solid waste by-laws. The direct impact that littering and dumping have on our residents is devastating. Littering and dumping drive away investment into our city and attract crime and grime, which lowers property prices, as it gives the impression that areas are neglected by authorities.”
Residents who would like to get involved in a clean-up, could email the City at wastewise@capetown.gov.za. The City would provide refuse bags and take bagged waste to a landfill afterwards.
Mr Twigg said civic action was only one way in which residents could join the fight against littering and dumping.
“We continue to encourage our residents to report those responsible so that penalties can be applied,” he said.
Tip-offs about illegal dumping can be reported to the City’s 24-hour toll-free number: 0800 110077. Those convicted of illegal dumping can be fined up to R5 000, have their vehicle impounded or face a two-year prison sentence. For every report that leads to a fine and conviction, the City is offering a reward from R1 000 up to R5 000, depending on the offence.