Suffocating in filth

Not the Mtubatuba dump site, but mountains of rubbish piling up next to the road

For two consecutive years (2008 and 2009) Mtubatuba received KZN ‘cleanest town’ awards. Making a mockery of this ‘prestigious’ award are the fast-growing mountains of rubbish and filth which are slowly starting to suffocate the town. Driving through the Mtuba town centre is akin to negotiating a dumping site. Refuse is not only deposited in the town centre close to businesses and public places, but also in open spaces next to properties. Cane farmer, Steve De Ricqueborg, for example, has grown tired of the road leading to his front door being used as a rubbish dumping site and out of desperation takes it upon himself to keep it clean. He put up a notice next to a neighbour’s house in an attempt to curb the problem, but to no avail.

Attacks
Exacerbating the chaotic situation is the fact that residents avoid the official dumping site following physical attacks on them by a group of people, searching for valuables, who permanently operate there. De Ricqueborg confirms that his staff have been attacked. Municipal Manager, DR Ntombela apologised for the lack of services, pointing out that he was suspended for three months. But farmers had meetings with the municipality last year to find a solution. They are willing to help set up a system to keep Mtuba clean as they have the resources to do so, but say they have so far been ignored by the Municipality while the rubbish keeps on piling up. Sewage running into Mtuba’s clean waterways is also of great concern, as is the constant contaminated stream flowing over the road at the town’s entrance. People have to walk through it every day. Ntombela explained that the budget was too tight for any constructive changes, but undertook to look into the matter.