Home News “No dumping” signs ignored as Public Protector’s office faces litter problem

“No dumping” signs ignored as Public Protector’s office faces litter problem

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The Public Protector’s provincial representative had to hire someone to clean up the rubbish that had been dumped in front of the offices in Sidney Street.

The Public Prosecutor Provincial Representative, Mlungisi Khanya pointing out the illegal dumping. Pictures: Supplied

EVEN the premises of the Office of the Public Protector in Sidney Street has become a target of regular illegal dumping.

The Public Protector’s provincial representative, Mlungisi Khanya, said he had to hire someone to clean up the rubbish that had been dumped in front of the offices as it not only presented a bad image of the office but looked unsightly.

“The problem of dumping in this area has been dragging on since July this year. We are greeted by heaps of rubbish every morning when we arrive at our offices. The sight of the rubbish is unpleasant and one is very concerned about the image it portrays of our office,” Khanya said.

“There are several businesses in this street and the public library is also situated nearby. The dumping is not only an unpleasant sight but also poses a threat to the health of business owners and workers, as well as clients.

“I had to ask someone to clean up the rubbish and pay that person from my own pocket,” Khanya told the DFA. “Street dwellers use the rubbish to make fires,” he added.

“We have put up signs urging the public not to dump their rubbish here but the signs are blatantly ignored by the culprits and the problem continues,” said Khanya.

He said they had raised the matter with the municipality.

“We have written an urgent letter to the municipality requesting intervention in the matter. I have also raised the problem with the municipal street cleaners several times, hoping they will take it up with the necessary authorities.

“The garbage collection of the municipality is also not always timeous, which makes the matter more challenging. This problem is a hindrance to conducive work conditions,” Khanya said.

Sol Plaatje municipal spokesperson, Thoko Riet, admitted that illegal dumping was a huge challenge throughout the city and called on residents to play an active role in assisting the municipality to deal with the problem.

“We will never win the war against illegal dumping unless the community partners with the municipality to bring the culprits to book. The rubbish bins the municipality have put up are used to make fires or to dispose of building rubble.

“All citizens must take responsibility to preserve and guard the image of the city. This is a combined responsibility for both the municipality as well as the residents of the city.”

She added that a team would be dispatched to clean the area in Sidney Street.

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