Devil’s dump: Residents gatvol of toxic junk pile
WHAT A GEMORS: Marchalene Simons, 30, from Seawinds. Pix Jack Lestrade
Two Lavender Hill mothers say a dumpsite between their homes has become a health hazard for their children.
Marchalene Simons, 30, and Ruwayda Moerat, 43, live in St. Edwards Street in Hillview.
They say that even dead bodies have been found in the illegal vullishoop.
Marchalene says: “[There are] rats, snakes, cockroaches, lice.
“People dump dead animals here and you get that smell.
“Three [human] bodies were found here in the last six months.”
The moms say they dream of a clean neighbourhood to raise their kids in, but instead they are stuck with mice skarreling in the rubbish.
“You can actually hear the mice clocking in for their working hours,” says Marchalene.
“When [Ruwayda] opens her door, her whole house stinks.
“This has become a health risk to our kids.”
The gatvol residents say the situation is out of control, with homeless people and naughty laaities vanging draad there.
“At night it looks like a party here, because they burn cables. All the smoke goes to our houses,” she adds.
Ruwayda showed the Daily Voice her daughter’s asthma medication and says the smoke is affecting his chest: “We need a permanent solution to this problem.
“I want to know from the council how come we, as ratepayers, have to deal with this rubbish?”
The City claims the area was cleaned on 1 November and illegal dumping is a huge problem.
Mayoral Committee Member for Waste and Water, Xanthea Limberg, said: “The Solid Waste Department attempts to clean the site as frequently as possible.
“They need to be escorted by the City’s Law Enforcement and/or police, who aren’t always available as they have their own schedule.
“Because of this, the area is now being cleaned once a month.”