The residents of UMlazi township have been experiencing the foul smell of waste and its associated illnesses for the past 3 weeks due to non-collection by municipal services. This has accordingly raised grave concerns amongst many residents as their health and that of their families is now under threat.

Inkatha Freedom Party, member of the Executive, eThekwini Municipality, Cllr Mdu Nkosi ,today raised concerns of the non-collection of rubbish that is busy growing at an alarming rate in the residential areas. “The municipality assured residents that the rubbish would collected, yet as at today we still see no refuse services in the area. There is also a grave and real concern from residents regarding the contracting of airborne diseases as a result of the rotting rubbish. This is not the first time that this has happened either, as in September of this year the rubbish was not collected for the entire month. It has now been 3 weeks of non-collection which is alleged to have been instigated by MK Veterans who were promised employment by the city as bodyguards. The city should never negotiate under such forms of duress as this will only lead to greater problems in the future, ” said Cllr Nkosi.

“The IFP is extremely concerned over the current unsafe environment that Ethekwini Municipality is exposing the people to in this area. This waste could cause serious diseases, especially for the children who are playing nearby such rubbish. As the IFP we will not tolerate service delivery failures by the municipality in any way. We are very disappointed in the municipal management and accordingly demand that Municipal Manager, Mr Sbu Sithole immediately implement plans to have the waste removed,” continued Cllr Nkosi.