The director of Chatsworth secondary school, Alvin Reddy, published a video on social media demonstrating the terrible condition of the area around the school. The video shows meters of garbage dumped along the school's fence.
Illegal Waste Dumping Problem
According to the director, since residents do not have a designated place for waste disposal, they are using the area behind the school wall as a dump. He noted that the school looks like a landfill because the municipality has not provided the necessary infrastructure.
Reddy told the publication POST on Wednesday that the illegal dumping of waste poses a threat to the health and safety of students and staff, who are forced to walk past the refuse and inhale unpleasant odors. The director decided to express his concern after the trash was burned, which damaged the school wall.
Causes and Consequences of Pollution
Previously, residents of the informal settlement of Emanyaleni were storing their waste in a neighboring area. However, after this zone was cleared and trees were planted, residents of this settlement began dumping trash near the school wall. Due to the large volume of waste, it is scattered along the roadside and near the school entrance. Residents of the settlement claim that they have no other place to dispose of waste, so they cross the road and throw trash directly near the school.
Reddy added that he had filed a complaint, and Durban Solid Waste employees came to clean up. The problem is that they collect the trash into bags but do not remove the bags themselves. When the bags remain in place, vagrants and drug addicts passing by open the bags and rummage through the trash, leaving new traces of dirt behind.
Appeal to Authorities
The director appealed to the eThekwini municipality to provide an informal settlement with a place for waste disposal to completely eradicate the dumping near the school. Despite the dumping being reported to officials, no action has been taken.
He emphasized that an unbearable smell is noticeable when approaching the school, and his own office smells like a landfill. On Sunday night, someone set fire to the trash, requiring the fire department to be called to extinguish the fire, which resulted in damage to trees and scorching of the wall. Furthermore, this week, a high-profile guest was forced to walk past used sanitary pads thrown near the school, which is humiliating and a health hazard. Reddy noted that they are looking for a permanent and constructive solution, but no one can offer it, and they hope the authorities will quickly resolve this issue.