Following a series of robberies at the Arlington Tip waste disposal site over the past few weeks, the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality recently decided to intervene by launching new security measures at the facility.
Acting Bay Mayor, Councillor Tshonono Buyeye, handed over 102 identity cards and reflective bibs to scores of residents who work at the site as full-time recyclers.
Speaking to more than 100 recyclers, Buyeye said that the municipality was committed to ensuring the safety of the recyclers, residents and staff members.
“We are giving you these tools today as a short-term solution to the challenge, but as a long-term goal we will build a concrete wall around the site which will be difficult to vandalise.
“We are facing the challenge of illegal dumping in the metro and we always encourage residents to dump waste at the right sites. It is therefore not right that our residents are robbed when coming here, while they are doing the right thing and ensuring that our metro is clean,” Buyeye said.
“The bibs and identity cards will serve as access cards for the legitimate recyclers who should be on site.
“The cards have pictures on them. This will give our Safety and Security department and the South African Police Service the power to remove anyone who is not supposed to be on site, especially the criminals. While this is a short-term solution, it is a step in the right direction,” he added.
Public Health Portfolio Head, Yolisa Pali, said that they did not want to even risk giving the cards to relatives or friends, but to the recyclers themselves as they are trying to avoid any issues where law enforcement officers need to remove trespassers from the site.
“We have also emphasised to our security guards that no one must be allowed access to the site if they are not wearing a face mask as we are still battling COVID-19,” Pali said.
Portfolio Head for Safety and Security, Queenie Pink, who was also at the site, said that security guards would now be dispatched at the site for day and night shifts.
Recyclers, who were on site, said that they were happy about the initiative. “We are very happy because we are also not safe here. Sometimes the thieves even rob us and we really want them to be removed from site,” said Blessing Marecha.
Over the past few weeks, Walmer police advised the public to be extra cautious when going to the Arlington Tip to discard their waste. In the most recent incident, a man was robbed at gunpoint at the facility.
Police spokesperson, Colonel Priscilla Naidu, said that they are advising people to be extra vigilant of their surroundings and to not accept any assistance from anyone.
“There is security at the dumping site and people are urged to report to the security office who will then guide them to where they should offload their waste,” she said.
“Police are also appealing to people to leave all valuables at home.
“If instinct should warn you of danger rather drive off and come back when it is safe to do so,” she added.
The municipality shared these safety tips for residents entering the site:
- Avoid the display of valuables (jewellery, cameras, laptops, wallets, cellphones and other valuables).
- Only enter disposal/landfill sites on operating times when municipal staff are present.
- Stick to disposing at the designated disposal areas as pointed out by a municipal worker.
- Avoid isolated areas on the landfill site.
- Do not give tips to strangers to offload your vehicle at any event.
- Do not drive with your windows down and please lock your vehicle when left unattended.
- Disregard any stranger who tries to confront you at the landfill site.
- Always carry on you at all times the essential numbers and important local phone numbers to call in case of an emergency.
- Report any incidences to the site supervisor and the South African Police Services.
