Frequent illegal dumping on a Hanover Park field gives off a bad smell and attracts flies and vermin, say residents.
Jasmina Lucas has lived in the area for more than 50 years.
She said she had seen people dropping all sorts of garbage on the Lynburg Road field, including couches, mattresses, nappies, rubble and dirt.
The mound of rubbish gave off a stench she could smell in her home, and the culprits had ignored her or been rude when she had reprimanded them, she said.
“We are trying to track down these people by taking down their number plates, but who do we send it to, and what else can we do? There is only so much that we can do. They know we are watching them so now they dump at night and not so much during the day anymore.”
Another resident, Juleiga George, said most of the dumping happened the day before the neighbourhood’s bins were emptied and the culprits ignored a sign warning against dumping.
“People can’t even drive properly through the road anymore because of the all the rubbish on the field. When people come into the road, they ask why does the area look like this?”
The field was cleaned on Thursday May 7 after the Athlone News sent an enquiry to the City of Cape Town.
Mayoral committee member for water and waste Xanthea Limberg said the City budgeted about
R110 million to R120 million annually for the clearing of some 2900 illegal dumping hotspots.
“However, it seems that almost as soon as areas can be cleaned, certain residents resume dumping. We therefore need residents to please help us ensure those who are responsible for dumping face consequences, as repeated public appeals for guilty parties to cease this activity have not been heard. It is crucial that we work together in the fight against grime, by not littering/dumping, and reporting those who do.”
The closest City drop-off facility to dump rubbish from Hanover Park is in Induland Road, but it is closed now because of lockdown restrictions.
Illegal dumpers can be fined up to R5000 and have their vehicles impounded.
The release fee is R8 426 for the first impoundment and rises thereafter.
Report illegal dumping to the City of Cape Town’s call centre at 0860 103 089 or 021 400 6157 or email solidwaste.bylaw@capetown.gov.za