Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Acting Mayor Councillor Thsonono Buyeye launched new security measures at the Arlington waste disposal site on Monday.
As a short term solution to the challenge of crime at the City’s largest dump site, Mayor Buyeye handed over identity cards and reflective bibs to scores of residents who work on the site as full time recyclers.
Speaking to more than 100 recyclers, Mayor Buyeye said the City was committed to ensuring the safety of the recyclers, NMBM 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 have a challenge of illegal dumping in the City and we always encourage residents to dump waste at the right sites so it can’t be right that our residents are robbed when coming here, doing the right and ensuring that our City is clean,” said Mayor Buyeye.
“The bibs and identity cards will serve as access cards for the legit 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.
A total of 102 bibs and identity cards were handed out, while some will be handed out to absent recyclers during the week.
Public Health portfolio head Councillor Yolisa Pali said: “We have ensured that we give only people who were present today. We did not want to even risk giving the cards to relatives or friends, recyclers will get them in out offices because we do not want stories when law enforcers remove trespassers from site. We have also emphasised to our security guards that noone must be allowed access to the site if they are not wearing a face mast as we are still battling with COVID-19.”
Safety and Security portfolio head Councillor Queenie Pink who was also at the site said security guards would now be dispatched at the site for day and night shifts.
Recyclers who were on site said they were happy about the initiative.
Blessing Marecha from Walmer said: “We are very happy because we are also not safe here. Sometimes the thieves even rob us, we really want them to be removed from site.”
NMBM would like to encourage residents to be vigilant when entering the site by following these safety tips:
- Avoid display of valuables (jewellery, cameras, laptops, wallet cell phones 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 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 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 emergency and;
- Report any incidences to the site supervisor and the South African Police Services.
NMB Communications
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