Illegal dumping has become an ongoing concern on Welgevonden Boulevard, Stellenbosch.
Welgevonden Boulevard near Cloetesville is subject to weekly illegal dumping, according to Aletna Strauss, a resident of a property situated on the road. PHOTO: Aiden Louw
This is according to Aletna Strauss, who has been a resident of one of the properties on the road for two years.
Strauss claimed that illegal dumping happens weekly and that household, construction and garden waste is regularly discarded along the path. Strauss also claimed to have seen dead dogs in black bags lying amidst the rubbish.
Clean-up complications
“I have been phoning [Stellenbosch] Municipality for the last year and a half,” claimed Strauss. “They did clean up the rubbish [on 3 May] but for four months before then, nobody came […] and we had to clean it up ourselves.”
It is, however, difficult for residents to clean up construction waste, as digger loaders are required for heavy lifting, she said.
“Illegal dumping is a cause for concern […] we are encouraging residents to […] join in on clean-up campaigns in their area [and] to report on illegal dumping immediately,” said Stuart Grobbelaar, spokesperson for Stellenbosch Municipality.
Grobbelaar added that the municipality was aware of the illegal dumping that took place on the road and had sent area dispatch cleaning teams on 1 May.
Meanwhile, Amanda Mostert, another resident of a property on the road, opened a case with local law enforcement against a suspected regular dumper on 2 May, she stated. According to Mostert, law enforcement issued the suspect with a fine. However, more waste was discarded there just a few days later, according to Strauss. At the time of publication, law enforcement had not confirmed that such a fine had been issued.
“[The road is] like a free-for-all,” said Strauss.
Mostert claimed that people also park their cars on the road to partake in other activities such as substance abuse.
Household, garden and construction waste is regularly illegally dumped along Welgevonden Boulevard near Cloetesville, according to Aletna Strauss, a resident of one of the properties on the road. Pictured above are filled nappies, bones, broken glass, a condom wrapper and garden waste, which were found next to the road. PHOTO: Aiden Louw
A plea for the road
Strauss and Mostert’s main demands are that the municipality put up ‘no dumping’ and ‘no parking’ signs on the road. Strauss claimed that she has been trying to get these demands heard for months, but have been met with silence from the municipality.
Robin Hendrikse, a councillor of the Good Party, wrote a letter to the Stellenbosch mayor on 9 May. In the letter, she demands for more visible policing and the erection of ‘no dumping’ signs on the road.
“I trust that you will give this issue the consideration it deserves to ensure we all enjoy a dignified living in clean and safe spaces,” reads the end of the letter. She is currently awaiting the mayor’s response. “This is what they [the municipality] do, they keep you hanging,” Hendrikse told MatieMedia via telephonic conversation.
“The municipality regularly erects ‘no dumping’ signs in areas and [Strauss’] proposal will be shared with the relevant department and considered,” said Grobbelaar in response to MatieMedia’s enquiry regarding whether signs could be put up on the road.
“A sign is, however, not always an effective deterrent. Therefore, municipal law enforcement officers do continuous patrols and we rely on residents to alert us when they see illegal dumping,” stated Grobbelaar.