Residents who volunteer to clean illegal dumping in Mamelodi east photo by Dimakatso Modipa
The discovery of a baby whose corpse had been mutilated at an illegal dumping area in Mamelodi East (between Koos Matli Primary School and Extension 4) has led to local residents embarking on a campaign to clear the bushy, filthy area and prohibit dumping there.
According to one of the community members engaged in clearing the illegal dumping area of the filth that has swamped it Mpho Bogoshi, the mutilated corpse of the woman was discovered last week Friday and as a result they started clearing the area this past Monday so as to prevent similar incidents and any other forms of crime from happening there going forward.
“After being alerted to the incident of the mutilated corpse of a woman, I immediately phoned Councillor to come to the scene,” said Bogoshi.
Bogoshi revealed that the illegal dumping area is a crime hot spot and that some two weeks ago a woman going to church was rescued from rapists by local members of the community.
“That is why we have decided to clear the area once and for all because it is used as a thorough-fare by many local residents including church-goers, workers, school children and patients going to the local Stanza Bopape clinic,” explained Bogoshi.
He appealed to anyone in the community to help them with the necessary equipment to clear the bushy illegal dumping site which has caused sorrow to many residents because incidents of mugging are also rife there.
Bogoshi said once the area has been cleared, they would be grateful if the City of Tshwane would turn it into an amusement park for children as well as a sporting facility as that would keep them away from the streets.
Residents burned rubbish at the illegal dumping
He revealed that a Zimbabwean foreigner who has apparently been living in the bushy illegal dumping site has been chased away from the area.
Another resident involved in the cleaning campaign at the dumping site Isaac Makhura told Tshwane Talks that the illegal dumping and the foul, unbearable smell emanating from it affects nearby households negatively regarding their health.
Mpho Bogoshi pointing out where illegal foreigner used to sleep
He revealed that a foreign spaza shop owner cheekily came to dump a carcass of his cat in the area while ignoring the fact that they were trying to stop such activities at the dumping site.
He also revealed that a local resident also dumped a carcass of his dog in the area.
“My wish is that a fence must be erected in this area so as to keep away any people who may want to do illegal dumping here,” he said.
He lamented the fact that local kids who play football don’t have soccer grounds to strut their stuff and said it would be great if a soccer pitch would be built at the dumping site for both boys and girls who love playing football.