GEORGE NEWS - George Municipality is at wit's end with the scourge of illegal dumping in its municipal area and is putting out a desperate plea to residents to report illegal dumping.
This comes after the umpteenth complaint by residents in recent months - this time from residents in Rosedale, who said they cannot live in the surrounding filth any more.
Community workers contacted George Herald to complain about the dumped refuse in and around Rosedale. They say they have tried in the past to clear some of the sites, and that the municipality then came and took the rubble away.
However, in the past few months, the severity of the dumping has doubled, reaching a point where the residents cannot handle what is right on their doorsteps.
Constant awareness campaigns
Municipal communications manager Chantel Edwards-Klose says the municipality is constantly running extensive awareness campaigns about the evils and dangers of illegal dumping.
The municipality regularly urges and informs the community about how and where to report it. The community services directorate has an extensive list of illegal dumping sites throughout George.
She says the municipality cannot indefinitely continue to clear illegal dump sites. "We work on a rotation basis to clear them all, but the problem is where a site is cleared, two days later more refuse is dumped."
"Residents need to assist as well with this problem. We thank the community of Rosedale for their offer of assistance and will request the Community Services Directorate to liaise with them accordingly."
Related article: What is illegal dumping?
How to report dumping
For legal action, report all illegal dumping to the municipal law enforcement offices on 044 801 6350 / 044 801 6300 (a/h), or via e-mail at sprins@george.gov.za. Information that will result in a warning or fine include: a car description and/or registration number, address of alleged perpetrator, type of waste and the address where it was dumped.
"A cellphone photo of the dumping in action will help, but is not essential."
For collection of dumped waste, phone 044 802 2900 / 044 801 6300 (a/h).
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