Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Marelize Boeije and Sesotho soundbite by Cllr Kabelo Moreeng. See attached picture here.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has formally written to the Moqhaka Local Municipality, calling for urgent intervention to halt illegal dumping and the erection of informal shacks on Truter Street, adjacent to the Lifestyle Centre. Immediate action is necessary to protect the health, safety, and environment of residents.
Refuse bags are being dragged into the open space where waste is sorted but never properly cleaned up. This has created health and safety risks while also affecting the appearance and well-being of the area. In addition, homeless individuals have begun erecting shacks on the property, raising fears that the situation will escalate further if no intervention is made.
- In the letter, residents have posed the following questions to the municipality:
- What steps are currently being taken to address illegal dumping in Truter Street?
- Is there a waste management plan in place for this area, and if so, why is it not being implemented effectively?
- How does the municipality intend to manage and prevent the establishment of illegal structures on the property?
- Can the community be provided with a timeline for clean-up and preventative measures?
- What sustainable solutions will be put in place to stop this problem from continuing?
We call for urgent intervention and clear communication from the municipality, stressing that the situation is deteriorating daily. They warn that the issue not only poses risks to public health and safety but also damages the town’s image.
Residents urge the municipality to act without delay by implementing and communicating specific, lasting interventions to protect the community’s well-being and preserve the town’s environment.