Councilors from King Sabatha Dalindyebo (KSD) Local Municipality partnered with the Department of Tourism and Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) and rolled up their sleeves in a clean-up campaign at Mthatha Dam Resort in Mthatha, last week.
Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Community Services, Councillor Sihlwele Nyengana, said they identified this place because it is one of the precincts of the municipality, specifically on the side of tourism.
He said they are proud of this place because it has the Mthatha Dam and attracts tourists.
“We have so many precincts in KSD, but we said we must start with this one because it is very important,” said Nyengane.
He said as they partnered with these departments, they had seen that there were people who were building their houses next to the Mthatha Dam.
Nyengane said they are appealing to community members to stop building their houses next to such areas because they are putting their lives at risk.
“There are places where people are not allowed to build shelters; we are going to engage the traditional leaders of this area because this is not acceptable.
“When they are in trouble they will put blame on the government; these things create unnecessary disaster. This place is supposed to be kept in a good place but now people are doing whatever they like,” he said.
Nyengane said there are people who dump, for instance, there are pieces of ceiling dumped next to this dam, meaning there are big companies who come and dispose of their rubbish here.
He said they are warning those people because they have a by-law in the municipality that assists with this issue.
According to him, they have done civic education several times, asking them to stop throwing rubbish anywhere. “We always advise them that the rubbish is being recycled, and people can make money through this. Recycling is one of the weapons that can make them to have money. Since they are testing the law now, we are going to arrest them. Those who come here driving their cars, community members must just take their picture and send it to us.
“They will be paying not less than a R5 000 fine. The council had approved that this fine must be increased to R20 000, but we are saying will not charge them less than R5 000.”
He confirmed they have arrested many people, because this is gazetted by law, and they are talking to all those who dump their rubbish in places that are not approved for the purpose.
“This is a provincial road, but some of the people are washing their cars, and this is damaging our roads. There is a lot that is happening here.
“We are hoping that the Department of Human Settlement will also help us because the plans are approved by the municipality,” said Nyengane.
