Grootfontein drowns in rubbish
Residential areas in Grootfontein are an eyesore, especially the informal settlements where adults and children are at risk of contracting diseases because of piles of rubbish and pools of sewage.
In areas such as the Blikkiesdorp informal settlement, Hakahana and Omulunga, litter can be seen everywhere.
Residents blame the municipality for failing to provide enough skips. They say that prompts people to throw their rubbish anywhere they please.
They say although the council empties the available skips weekly, they fill up in two or three days.
“We are not happy, because our environment is dirty. I know we are the ones who dump things here and there, but if the municipality of Grootfontein had put up enough skips, even in every street, we would not have this problem,” one resident said.
He said the town's population was growing and thousands of people live in the informal settlements. Grootfontein has an estimated population of 25 000.
Children in the town's informal settlements play on and around the overflowing skips.
The health hazard is worsened by the patrons of nearby shebeens who urinate in the open where these children play.
When contacted for comment, municipal spokesperson Luke Salomo said the local authority collects waste once a week in all residential areas. Upon request, skips can be emptied more than once a week.
“When there is a need to revisit an area more than once a week, members of the public are welcome to call our office and we would be delighted to go and pick up such waste, especially if it is domestic waste,” he said.
Salomo urged residents to contact the municipality's solid waste management division.
Regarding the children playing around the skips, Salomo said that was not a council problem but one that should be addressed by their parents.
“I must say it's very unfortunate that parents leave their kids to go and play around the skip containers. It is every parent's responsibility to ensure that kids are cared for and play in a safe and clean environment,” Salomo said.
He admitted that Grootfontein has limited open spaces for children to play in. The council has plans to create more playgrounds, he said.
KENYA KAMBOWE
In areas such as the Blikkiesdorp informal settlement, Hakahana and Omulunga, litter can be seen everywhere.
Residents blame the municipality for failing to provide enough skips. They say that prompts people to throw their rubbish anywhere they please.
They say although the council empties the available skips weekly, they fill up in two or three days.
“We are not happy, because our environment is dirty. I know we are the ones who dump things here and there, but if the municipality of Grootfontein had put up enough skips, even in every street, we would not have this problem,” one resident said.
He said the town's population was growing and thousands of people live in the informal settlements. Grootfontein has an estimated population of 25 000.
Children in the town's informal settlements play on and around the overflowing skips.
The health hazard is worsened by the patrons of nearby shebeens who urinate in the open where these children play.
When contacted for comment, municipal spokesperson Luke Salomo said the local authority collects waste once a week in all residential areas. Upon request, skips can be emptied more than once a week.
“When there is a need to revisit an area more than once a week, members of the public are welcome to call our office and we would be delighted to go and pick up such waste, especially if it is domestic waste,” he said.
Salomo urged residents to contact the municipality's solid waste management division.
Regarding the children playing around the skips, Salomo said that was not a council problem but one that should be addressed by their parents.
“I must say it's very unfortunate that parents leave their kids to go and play around the skip containers. It is every parent's responsibility to ensure that kids are cared for and play in a safe and clean environment,” Salomo said.
He admitted that Grootfontein has limited open spaces for children to play in. The council has plans to create more playgrounds, he said.
KENYA KAMBOWE
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