EAGER to test whether a community based waste enforcement system will work, the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s Public Health Directorate has trained and employed 18 Community Waste Rangers in various areas of the metropole.
“Residents are now warned to stop illegal dumping or they will bear the full wrath of the law by paying fines, being prosecuted and possibly jailed,” said Nelson Mandela Bay municipal media officer Mthubanzi Mniki.
“This pilot programme will not only hold people accountable for illegal dumping activities, but will also create job opportunities for the youth, improving the economic state of the metropole.”
The Community Waste Rangers are responsible for the areas in which they reside, as they can easily identify the streets and hotspot areas for illegal dumping.
During the course of their training, the rangers initially shadowed the NMBM’s Town Rangers for a period of two weeks. During this time, they were taught in the field how to issue warnings and fines. After this period, the Community Waste Rangers were deployed to patrol the designated hotspots in their areas of residence.
This programme has been made possible thanks to funding awarded to the NMBM through the Tirelo Bosha programme.
The Tirelo Bosha Public Service Improvement Facility is funded by the Belgian Government and funds pilot projects aimed at investigating methods for improving service delivery.
“Illegal dumping has a devastating impact on society – environmentally, economically and psychologically. It encourages the breeding of vermin such as rodents, mosquitos, flies and maggots, which can lead to the spread of disease.
“It also reduces the quality of our environment and has the potential to cause soil, surface water and ground water pollution,” said Mniki.
The NMBM also erected anti-dumping billboards in key areas across the Metro.
