Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Raynie Klaasen and Sesotho soundbite by Cllr Kabelo Moreeng. See attached pictures here and here.
The DA wrote to the Head of Community Services, Dr Thabang Thinda, demanding urgent intervention to address the growing number of illegal dumping sites across the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality and the continued failure to provide consistent refuse removal services.
Illegal dumping has become an increasingly common sight across Mangaung. Open spaces, vacant stands and stretches of veld are being turned into dumping grounds, leaving communities surrounded by waste and exposing residents to serious environmental and health risks.
This growing problem is inseparable from the municipality’s failure to collect household refuse reliably. When refuse trucks fail to arrive on scheduled collection days, residents must return their rubbish to their properties or leave bags outside for extended periods.
The consequences extend far beyond dirty streets. Waste blows into surrounding neighbourhoods, while rubbish accumulating in stormwater drains obstructs water flow. During heavy rainfall, these blockages contribute to localised flooding and accelerate the deterioration of Mangaung’s already damaged road infrastructure.
Illegal dumping sites also attract rats, flies and other pests, create unpleasant odours and expose communities to potential health hazards. Children playing near contaminated waste are particularly vulnerable. Residents deserve clean, safe neighbourhoods, not environments where municipal neglect worsens living conditions.
The DA maintains that tackling illegal dumping requires more than occasional cleaning campaigns. Mangaung must address the underlying service delivery failures that contribute to the problem while ensuring that those who deliberately dump waste illegally face appropriate enforcement action.
Through our formal correspondence, the DA will demand reliable refuse removal according to published schedules, improved communication through SMS, radio and community groups when collections are delayed, and the placement of communal skips in identified dumping hotspots.
We will further request a coordinated programme to clear existing dumping sites, maintain stormwater drains, strengthen enforcement of municipal bylaws and introduce public awareness campaigns encouraging responsible waste disposal.
While the DA currently serves in opposition in Mangaung, we will continue using Council oversight mechanisms to demand accountability and monitor the municipality’s response. The DA will also request clear implementation timelines and progress reports from the responsible department.
The DA will continue pressing for practical action to restore cleaner, healthier and safer neighbourhoods across Mangaung.