THE growing heap of black bags illegally dumped in an alley in John Street, Uitenhage, as well as a drain which has been overflowing for more than a year, have business owners at wits’ end.
“For the past twelve years I have been doing business in this street. There has never been so much filth and refuse being dumped here as now,” said Ernesto Quintal Gouveia.
“Apart from the filth, the drain has been overflowing for more than a year. The stench on warm days is unbearable as the drain cover has been stolen. It is dangerous as pedestrians can fall into the drain, therefore I have covered it with a barricade which was used long ago by contractors, where they fixed a water leak.
“I have reported these issues many times to the municipality. I actually don’t care anymore, because nothing is being done,” said Gouveia.
To prohibit the sewage from flowing into his business, Gouveia has used gravel to redirect it into the storm water drain, all of which will then eventually flow into the already heavily polluted Swartkops River.
Physiotherapist Salome Pieterse has written a letter of complaint to council about the deteriorating conditions in John Street.
“Early in the morning I used to clean-up the street myself in front of our practice, or hire someone to help clean the mess.
“I do not want my patients to visit our practice and to be exposed to this horrible sight,” said Pieterse.
“It seems out of control now, with more and more black bags being put out and torn open. Look at the filth … this is not on. Not only is it unbearable to see, but a health hazard and not at all the kind of environment that one would like to run your business in,” said Salome, whose practice has been in the street for more than thirty years.”
Councillor Pieter Terblanche said he is very concerned about the increase of illegal dumping in John Street as well as the health hazard of the filth and overflowing drain. Although John Street is not part of his ward, he said that he would take up these matters with the relevant directorates.
