Illegal dumping becoming a nightmare for residents of Norkem Park
by Cllr. Desmond Mckenzie — DA Councillor in Ward 91 Ekurhuleni
Date: 25 February 2021
Release: Immediate
Type: Media statement
The Norkem Park Transfer Station in Kempton Park, in the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE), is in disarray and proving to be a massive headache for surrounding residents.
The total mismanagement of the facility is leading to a state of lawlessness as broken walls have resulted in an increase in illegal dumping in and around the facility causing surrounding residents to complain of a garbage stench and rat infestations. The illegal dumping sometimes takes months for the Department of Waste to clean up.
Adding to this mismanagement, the facility has erratic opening and closing times, with no formal communication from the ANC-led City, leaving residents unaware of when they can drop off their waste.
Of greater concern is the criminal elements that lurk outside of the transfer station. A lack of by-law enforcement by the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD), means that certain individuals lurk outside the facility, fight amongst themselves, and intimidate residents who intend to offload their refuse.
This situation has persisted for too long. The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Ekurhuleni has repeatedly escalated the issue to the failing ANC-appointed MMC for Environmental Resources and Waste Management Services, Ald. Khosi Mabaso, and the HOD, Faith Wotshela, only to be ignored.
The Department can no longer ignore the issue as the situation continues to deteriorate. The DA thereby calls on Ald Mabaso and Wotshela to take urgent action to remedy the crisis — specifically to build a new wall around the facility to stop illegal dumping and alleviate the health hazard caused as a result. In addition, the Party calls on the EMPD to enforce the relevant by-laws in ensuring that the transfer station is safe and void of opportunities for crime.
The DA also encourages residents to report any instances of illegal dumping and would like to remind them that the Norkem Park Transfer Station is reserved for garden refuse only.
The mismanagement of the Norkem Park Transfer Station is another example of how the ANC Coalition-led City of Ekurhuleni is failing in its service delivery mandate as residents are left to deal with the stench.
Sign the DA’s petition demanding that the CoE take action on the waste crisis within the Metro here: City of Ekurhuleni Waste Crisis — Petitions.net
Cllr. Desmond McKenzie
DA Councillor in Ward 91 Ekurhuleni
