CONCERNED residents in Soshanguve, Tshwane want rubbing cleared before schools reopen.
Residents in Block R Soshanguve, near Nchuncheko Primary School, told Daily Sun that rubbish has not been collected for more than four weeks and that several households have tried unsuccessfully to report the problem to the metro.
Schools in the area have turned into illegal dumping grounds.
The SunTeam visited the area on Monday, 15 January, where rubbish has piled up on the road, reducing it from two lanes to one.
Several cars struggled to pass on the road.
A resident was seen dumping rubbish on the roadside in front of the school premises in broad daylight.
Brenda Vilakazi (40) said they can go for four weeks without rubbish collection.
"Our kid's health are at risk and their safety," she said.
Another resident Jan Nkoana (75) said the smell is unbearable, and one cannot even eat outside or close windows and doors in this terrible heat.
The residents also accused the residents of an informal settlement that is believed to be the main culprits of the dumping as the municipality has not formalised it and the people there don't receive any services.
Tshwane Metro spokesman Lindela Mashego told Daily Sun that rubbish collection in Block R Soshanguve takes place weekly on Fridays.
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He said that from 1 March 2023, the number of rubbish trucks has been reduced due to budget constraints and subsequent budget cuts.
"If the Friday collection is not on schedule, the collection will be moved to the next day, Saturday. The department has communicated with the councillor to inform the community, but the challenge is that not all residents put their bins out on Saturday," he said.
He said that the city is no longer able to fully remove illegal dumping because there's no money for equipment. However, EPWP employees are tasked with removing household waste.
Mashego said that the city has employed more than 2 000 EPWP staff to help tackle illegal dumping and has introduced an educational awareness programme.
Mashego said that fine for illegal dumping is R5 000 according to the law.
