A resident in Bothasig claims several complaints have been logged at the City of Cape Town regarding the light delivery vehicle dropping off people with trolleys on waste collection days, or bin days.
TygerBurger reported on the matter a week ago, (“Bin days drop-off alarms”, 27/8).
In the report Ward councillor Miquette Temlett said a vehicle comes into the ward, drops off 10 to 15 people with recycling trolleys, and then collects them again in the afternoon.
The Bothasig Community Policing Forum (CPF) said the matter was reported to the police, but informed that no crime is being committed.
Theo Hope, a resident who contacted the newspaper after reading the news report, said it is unacceptable that the police are unable to do something.
Hope has been living in the suburb since 1968.
“I am one on the people who started to monitor this activity. I reported it to the ward councillor and took the matter to the mayor,” says Hope.
In essence there are three groups operating in our area, he says, of which the group of people being dropped off by a company and collected again are just one.
“I have a number of photos and videos of this happening,” says Hope.
Another group are those who walk from Bishop Lavis on recycling day, collect only plastic and then drag the bags on trolleys home to sell. A third group involved a bakkie that drops off people who then also collect only plastic. They are then collected in a bakkie and trailer.
Concerns
Hope says he has several concerns.
We are now getting loads more vagrants in our areas in the early hours of the morning, they come at about 04:00. Petty theft of lights, letter boxes and house numbers have increased, he says.
Another issue is the City supplied bins for recycling and the tender for the recycling to be collected.
The tender is based on a recycling return, but there is little plastic to collect, Hope says.
“I cannot believe that law enforcement and police say that there is nothing that can be done, this is completely unacceptable.”
Hope says residents are frustrated that nothing is being done.
“They pull these large bags in the road, over the Monte Vista bridge, and cause traffic chaos.”
Temlett indicated she did escalate the matter to the urban waste and law enforcement department.
Residents can call 021 480 770 when the trolleys are in the road contravening bylaws.
