A family of four has been living in a health hazard for months as the front of their home has become an illegal dumping spot. Sophia Goliath, a foster-care mother to three-year old twins, has been lamenting her plight to Makana Municipality for months with no response.
A family of four has been living in a health hazard for months as the front of their home has become an illegal dumping spot. Sophia Goliath, a foster-care mother to three-year old twins, has been lamenting her plight to Makana Municipality for months with no response.
"I have reported it to everyone, the environmental officer and to the councillor and nobody did anything about it," Goliath was speaking to Grocott's Mail at her home at number 83 Bowker Street.
"The worst part is that people just come and throw their household refuse in front of my home, I have two little boys here and I worry they could become sick from this."
She said small children also play at the dump and it is not good. "There are people who are sick here, medical waste and some old pills are thrown right here, it is really not good for us," said Goliath.
The dump in front of her house was burning while Grocott's Mail visited the area. "I don't know what they are trying to do, they came here and started burning and threw some soil," she said.
Neighbour Angela Whiteboy said the stench in front of their homes was unbearable. "People throw dead animals and rubbish in this hole and they swear at us when we tell them not to dump. We have reported this to the councillor but nothing happens, the worst thing is that the municipality collects household refuse on Tuesday but people still dump there," Whiteboy said.
Tommy Daniels, who resides at Irving Street near Mary Waters, said they have stopped reporting the illegal dumping in front of their homes. "There are people who dump used diapers there and the dogs go there and scatter all those diapers in the street; it has been like this forever," said Daniels.
He said this was worse than water outages. "At least with the water you see the tap is dry this day and you know you must make a plan, but this is forever here and there is nothing we can do. Children walk there when they go to school, it's not healthy," he said.
Attempts to get comment from Makana municipal spokesperson Yoliswa Ramokolo were unsuccessful at the time of going to print.
