Some residents of Temba near Lefofa and Mosaledi School are engaging in illegal dumping of waste which pose a danger to the health of pupils. Illegal dumping is a chargeable offence in the township however this has not discouraged some community members from illegal dumping.
Students from the two schools complained of inhaling bad smells next to the school entrance every morning on their way to school and said this can affect their respiratory systems.
Even though dustbins are collected every week, some residents continue to dump rubbish at the wrong places causing the health hazard. Schools are targets as there are no people there after school hours.
“On our way to school in the morning we sometimes witness some elderly people dumping waste in front of the school yard which they have turned into a illegal dumping side and sometimes burn the rubbish.
“This leads to our clothes smelling smoke because we have to pass through the smoke,” said a pupil at Mosaledi Primary school.
Mr Lucas Chauke who sells sweets and food outside the school gate said, to make matters worse, there is a burst sewerage pipe and sometimes water ooze out filling the street.
A passing resident, Ms Kamogelo Sono, said the illegal dumping at schools is a demonstration of lack of humanity. “That is why we have so many problems in the country, we don’t respect our environments and our people, especially our children.
“If we are speaking of unity in the country, we should start in our communities,” she said.
No official was available for comment at the time of going to press.
