Residents living along Marula Crescent and near the Alfred Duma Municipal dumpsite describe the dumpsite as an absolute nightmare, with people collecting and living off the dumpsite, dumping rubbish right into their backyards, as residents continue to face failing service delivery.
The municipal dumpsite’s fence is completely broken off and on vacant lots and near homes running past the dumpsite, camps and collections of waste material are clearly seen. One resident even said that she watched in horror as the rubbish truck just continued offloading the town’s rubbish on the sidewalk.
“Has the dumpsite been relocated to my backyard? Because I woke up one morning to find piles and piles of rubbish being dumped, right at my backdoor,” said one resident.
Another Marula Crescent resident told The Ladysmith Herald that the smell coming from the “extended dumpsite” is unbearable. “I don’t know why the dumpsite is reaching our homes, but this is totally unexpected.”
Residents also said that they understand that people are using the dumpsite, but at the rate that it is going now, it is slowly becoming a breeding ground for criminal activity. “They are so close to our homes now and we can’t leave anything outside or it will be stolen.”
Other small-town businesses said that they no longer use the dumpsite. “You cannot reach the dumpsite and it is becoming increasingly dangerous to send out drivers.” Another resident said that he can understand why people are just dumping anywhere because they don’t want to take the risk of heading to the dumpsite.
While residents have been asking why the dumping of waste is being left within the residential area of Marula, others have asked when is uThukela going to step in and fix the raw sewerage pipes which add to the horrible smell. “This sewage has been overflowing for years now and despite the calls being made, nothing is being done,” said a resident.
During investigation by The Ladysmith Herald, people who are making a living off the dumpsite shouted at the reporter, telling her to leave and that she should mind her own business since they are trying to make a living. “You are just making trouble for us and stealing food from our table,” said one of the community members who was busy working his way through the rubbish.
Ward 20 Councillor, Abbas Warasally, said that he was also extremely disappointed during a visit to the site. “I have been receiving calls from the community and when I had gone to do an inspection, I did not realise the extent of the problem.”
Cllr Warasally explained that due to the continuous heavy downpours experienced in and around Ladysmith, the road leading into the dumpsite is completely soaked with water, making it impossible for vehicles and trucks to drive into the dumpsite and offload the rubbish in the allocated area.
“There is a plan in place – once the ground has dried and it is safe for vehicles to use the road leading into the dumpsite, vehicles will collect the waste dumped outside the site. A team will also be deployed to clean up the area, but at this stage, nothing can be done due to the rain. We can’t go against God and must just be a little patient,” he added.
