Illegal dumping a hazard to children, Cllr da Silva intervenes

by Cllr. Mike da Silva– DA PR Councillor in Ekurhuleni

Date: 12 October 2022

Release: Immediate

Type: Media statement

The plight of illegal dumping is a sore that has been festering for years. Not only is it unsightly, but it creates a health hazard, particularly for the elderly and for children who frequent areas where the dumping is taking place.

It is heartbreaking to see the way in which our parks and areas close to schools are being overtaken by illegal dumping. Of particular concern are the areas outside Lerutle Primary, Rivoni Secondary, and Gabon Fireground. It is infuriating to learn that one ward councilor’s response was to the problem was to duck and dive behind the fact that his party is no longer in government.

Residents should remember this attitude in 2024, and take cognizance of the fact that a ward councilor should be actively seeking long term and sustainable solutions to the problems that residents in their ward face.

The fact of the matter is that it is a mark of shame against any ward councilor to idly sit by and ignore their community while they have children playing on top of rubbish heaps filled with needles and other toxins such as dead dogs and dirty nappies.

The DA will not stand for this situation to continue any further, we have begun to engage with the community and with the MMC for environment and Waste Management on a sustainable solution that does not rely on payoffs to dodgy contractors who wish to extort the city and its good people.

We urge residents to refrain from illegal dumping and report instances to the EMPD. Please assist the city by logging complaints of under maintained communal dump sites to the call centre, app, or customer care centre and send the reference number to a DA councilor.

Cllr. Mike da Silva

DA PR Councillor in Ekurhuleni

074 791 5533