The joint efforts of the Minorities of South Africa (MOSA) and Forum 4 Service Delivery hope to eradicate the growing problem of illegal dumping.
On Friday, 15 October, the two parties visited an area at the end of Mountview Drive considered to be a dumpsite causing major issues in the community. Rashika Rampersad, from MOSA, said unknown people use the area to dump all sorts of refuse and rubble. “One could find tiles, refuse, bricks and rubbish that was not picked up. We even found a toilet there. I had a plan since July to clean up this area along with many other areas around Verulam, however, due to Covid and the unrest we were not able to conduct any clean-ups.”
She described the area as “disgusting” and “terrible”, especially to the residents living nearby. “There’s a little stream at the bottom. Residents created their own pathway to get to the main road easily. However, over time refuse and dirt grew and grew and something needed to be done. Residents have been calling for this place to be cleaned up for a long time. Now, since the clean-up, it has become a little safer for residents to cross over.”
After the clean-up “No illegal dumping” signs were erected. Rampersad said they also want to make residents more alert of people committing such crimes and encourage them to call the authorities when they see people dumping illegally. “I also plan to build a walkway and a bridge for people to walk over safely.” Mervin Govender from the Forum 4 Service Delivery said: “This joint venture is to ensure we raise the bar in terms of service delivery. We have also spoken to the residents and will educate them on the importance of recycling and reducing waste.”
