By Irene Rügheimer | DA Councillor Dihlabeng Municipality
Note to editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Irene Rügheimer and Sesotho soundbite by Jafta Mokoena MPL. Please see the pictures here, here, here, and here.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is committing to taking immediate action to address the illegal dumping in Clarens.
Despite a designated transfer site for household waste and a recycling plant, the issue has escalated due to widespread disregard for these regulations.
Residents have increasingly used the garden refuse site for household waste, creating an environmental and health hazard for those living nearby. Additionally, individuals have been disposing of building rubble near the graveyard, creating an unsightly and unsafe environment.
The municipality has neglected to set out designated dumping areas or install clear signage indicating the types of waste permitted at each location.
A lack of enforcement has led to no law enforcement presence to ensure compliance and individuals responsible for illegal dumping encounter neither warnings nor fines. Municipal by-laws aimed at curbing illegal dumping were passed months ago, but officials claim they are still awaiting court confirmation to enforce penalties.
The consequences of illegal dumping extend beyond aesthetics, posing serious health risks, degrading the town’s natural beauty, and negatively impacting tourism and property values.
The DA will continue to hold the ANC-led administration accountable for its failure to implement and enforce waste management regulations, urging immediate municipal intervention to erect proper signage, enforce fines, and initiate public awareness campaigns to combat illegal dumping.