Residents were raising concerns over illegal dumping in Zwelihle that had steadily deteriorated over time, transforming a space meant for human life into a street of waste, a health hazard to the community.
Hlola Street in Zwelihle has become an illegal dumping site overrun with waste from reportedly multiple sources, leaving it unusable and creating ongoing concerns for residents living nearby.
Community members said the site previously functioned as a space where children could play and residents could live next to; however, they allege that rubbish ranging from household refuse to dead animals has been dumped at the site over the years.
Businesses in the area allegedly dispose of expired or leftover stock there thus contributing to the conditions of the site.
Meanwhile, Bongiwe Nombula, Councillor of Ward 5, said that she has continuously reported the matter to the municipality from 11 April 2026.
“The municipality owns those sites at [Hlola Street],” she said. “I did alert the Council about those illegal dumping places and residents are angry because of big rats and the smell coming from it.”
However, the municipality claimed enquiries regarding the original plans and use of the site are often ward-level planning matters.
Therefore, Nombula would be better positioned to answer the enquiries, while Nombela said she had asked the municipality how to report the matter verbally and via WhatsApp.
Residents claimed the deteriorating conditions have had wider consequences for the surrounding community, particularly children living nearby.
Community leaders have reportedly gathered before to address concerns over the site and said the current councillor was aware of the issue.
“There seems to be no coherent plan from Overstrand Municipality to curb this illegal dumping and its health hazard,” Nombula pointed out.
The Overstrand Municipality said it continued to attend to illegal dumping hot spots as operational capacity allowed, according to a spokesperson at the Overstrand Municipality.
“The municipality can assist with refuse-collection arrangements, where organised community clean-up efforts are undertaken. The communities must start looking after their own environment as well.”
For the municipality illegal dumping remained a widespread challenge across the municipal area and was “unfortunately not unique to Hlola Street,” the spokesperson said.
