BUFFELDSDRAAI dump site brought the best news for hustlers and residents.
The dump site was where hustlers from Osindisweni, Durban, used to find material to sell so that they could buy food and most importantly, it was a shelter for others.
When it was shut down on 14 July following a shooting incident that claimed the life of hustler Njabulo Mbonambi (29) and injured others, these were good news to others, but for some, it meant the end of their hustling days.
But eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda promised residents and hustlers that he would return with good news.
Indeed, Kaunda kept his promise and returned to Buffelsdraai to give feedback following the closure of the landfill site.
During a community meeting on Sunday, 27 August, Kaunda said the city had commenced the process of profiling waste pickers (hustlers) in the area and will establish a community recycling programme in the next six months.
"The municipality is currently engaging various private sector companies who will partner with the city to implement the programme," said Kaunda.
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He said this initiative will also assist in keeping the entire area clean and address the challenge of illegal dumping sites.
“About 40 young people will be recruited for three months to clean the area and clear illegal dumping sites. We have also commenced with the programme of establishing a waste segregation site in the vicinity of the landfill site,” said Kaunda.
The mayor said those who are no longer interested in waste picking were assisted in forming agricultural cooperatives.
"Other issues raised by the hustlers was the challenge of homelessness. So as part of the city’s intervention, 22 homeless people are currently undergoing rehabilitation programmes in various health institutions," he said.
Waste picker Ntuthuko Mtolo said his life will change.
"I'm homeless, so the Buffelsdraai was my home. I was also able to make money through selling waste plastic. But now we will get skills and find good paying jobs," he said.
Resident Mpilo Ntuli said the meeting with the mayor was fruitful.
"This shows that Njabulo didn't die in vain. We are happy about this," she said.
On 12 July, hustlers were shot, and Njabulo, a regular waste collector, died while others were injured.
They were shot allegedly by security guards at the site who were trying to chase them out of the area. The shooting incident left families hurt as they felt that the shooting was unnecessary. They wanted the site to shut down, and indeed it was.
