Despite the numerous ”no littering” and “no illegal dumping” signs across the city, illegal dumping remains a major problem in various areas in Johannesburg.
One such area is the corner of Hendrik Potgieter and Rhinoceros Road, just behind Hillfox shopping centre.
According to Ward 89 councillor Ingrid Reinten, the vacant land is used as an illegal dumping site.
“You find all sorts of things dumped here, the most recent is building rubble”, said Reinten.
It is not clear who the owner of the vacant land is, but according to the City of Johannesburg’s by-laws, it is the responsibility of the land owner to make sure that their land is well-maintained and properly looked after.
Hillfox Centre employee Robert Mahlangu said people always dump rubbish there. “It’s really sad that people decide to dump right next to a busy road like Hendrik Potgieter and a shopping complex. It is unsightly,” said Mahlangu.
Reinten said the dumping on the road frustrates her because she constantly has to fight with authorities to get the place cleaned up. “It is always difficult to get things done on this road because the City of Johannesburg doesn’t want to take responsibility because it is provincial road, but I’m a ward councillor and the city should be raising it with the province.”
Illegal dumping is a health hazard and the Department of Health is responsible for consulting with relevant state entities for by-law enforcement, as well as the various entities responsible for cleaning up the area.
The Department of Health has yet to respond to questions sent to them.
