EVERY morning, residents of Chiawelo wake up to the sight of fresh heaps of garbage almost spilling into their yards.
Used and unused condoms, disposable nappies, dead rodents muddled among the rubble, sorghum beer cartons and bottles are just some of the nauseating rubbish that residents have to contend with.
Next to the mounds of grime are puddles of murky water, almost overflowing with a clutter of bleached plastic bags, tins and other items.
“Sometimes we can’t even eat because people throw down dead animals like dogs and cats. The smell can be too bad,” said Gladys Nkosi, who lives just metres from the illegal dumping site.
“What is disturbing is that children like to play there, picking up anything they can play with,” she added.
Her neighbour, MbaliPokwe, interjected: “We try to stop them, but they just continue. There’s nothing we can do because we are not the police. It’s hard because many dump at night.
According to Pikitup, the City of Johannesburg’s waste management It costs the City approximately R170 million per annum to clean up street littering and illegal dump sites money that could be far better utilised in building 7 350 RDP houses, acquiring 588 new ambulances or any number of other projects to bring the city up to world-class standards and providing basic services.
To report cases of illegal dumping are urged to contact Pikitup by calling Joburg Connect on 011 375 5555. They may also send an e-mail to joburgconnect@joburg.org.za
