by Gabriel Francke
SWELLENDAM – Residents of Renonkel and Bosbok Street in Railton, Swellendam raised concerns about a growing pile of illegally dumped waste that has been accumulating for over two weeks. The site, now both an eyesore and a potential health hazard was littered with empty bottles from local taverns and other refuse.
According to community members, attempts to confront those responsible have been met with threats and the claim that the cleanup is the municipality’s responsibility. Locals have described the situation as “inhumane” and ured the municipality to act immediately.
Although the Swellendam Municipality responded swiftly to the complaint, the incident highlights a deeper, ongoing problem.
Why It’s Not Just the Municipality’s Responsibility?
Keeping Swellendam clean requires both municipal action and community accountability. The municipality provides waste collection services, enforces by-laws, and cleans public spaces, but preventing illegal dumping depends on residents, businesses, and visitors making responsible choices.
When individuals dump waste illegally, they create hazards, undermine the efforts of others, and drain resources that could be used to improve the community. Reporting offenders, using designated disposal sites, and taking ownership of neighbourhood spaces are all essential steps that only the community can take.
According to the Municipal Manager, Anneleen Vorster, it’s incredibly hard for the municipality to clean many problem areas where unauthorized dumping occurs due to this long cycle.
“There is a mindset that people can just dump their garbage, and the Municipality has to come and pick it up. The Municipality does remove unauthorised landfills but has only limited capacity and can only remove unauthorised landfill in cycles of two or three week,” Vorster said.
Thus, with the long cycle between the cleaning sessions, residents and the public is exposed to a dirty environment that is not only unsightly but can also give rise to the spread of diseases and pests.
“The cost of removing this unauthorised dump is enormous and increases the garbage removal service’s charge. So those who don’t mess up are punished. It is imperative that residents take responsibility for their environment.
“It starts by throwing garbage inside a bin and not down the street. Young children should be taught that it is their responsibility not to litter, and older persons should set an example,” she added.
Vorster emphasised that not only is the Municipality grateful for community members who are helpful with clean-up actions, but also Swellendam Municipality remains committed to providing quality services.
Images below: What the area looked like before the cleanup.
