23 June 2011
The dumpsite at Witvlei could pose a serious health risk to pupils of the Nossob Primary School who go there after school to collect empty cans and bottles. On Monday afternoon, about 10 boys and girls were seen at the dumpsite, collecting empty beer bottles which they later sell to a local shebeen owner.
The children said they always follow vehicles that drive to the dump so that they can collect the waste material.
They said they sell the empty bottles at 70 cents and the tins for 40 cents at a Witvlei shebeen called ‘Inekela Bottle Store’.
“I am here for the empty bottles. I am hungry and I want to collect the bottles so that I can go and sell them. I will get some money to buy cookies,” a 12-year-old girl said.
Her 13-year-old peer told Nampa at the dumpsite that she also collects empty bottles, which she sells at Inekela Bottle Store.
“I saw a car driving here today, so I followed it as I want the empty bottles,” she said.
The Witvlei dumpsite is situated about a kilometre south of Nossob Primary School.
The school’s acting principal, Selma Geingos, told Nampa in a telephonic interview that she was not aware that children were collecting tins and bottles at the dumpsite.
“I am not aware of that. What time was it when you saw them? If it was after school hours, then it is their parents’ responsibility and not the school’s,” she said.
She said she would discuss the issue with the parents during an upcoming parents’ meeting.
When contacted for comment, the Witvlei Village Council’s acting chief executive officer, Magdalena Oais, said the council was at an advanced stage of upgrading the dumpsite to a proper standard.
She said the Ministry of Regional and Local Government had appointed Windhoek Consultant Engineers to help upgrade the dumpsite.
“The constructions will start at the end of this month. The priority is the fencing of the site with restraining posts and razor mesh wire to keep animals and humans away,” said Oais.
She said the dump would have four separate dumping pits – for bottles and glass, metal, paper and plastic.
AllAfrica – All the Time
Originally posted here:
Witvlei Children Risk Health at Dumpsite