14 Apr 2016

Residents of Maubelo, a settlement in Tsabong said the manner in which the business community disposes waste in their area posed a threat to the environment.  

The residents were expressing their concerns to their MP and Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Frans van der Westhuizen in a meeting recently.

Ms Gaasite Matebele, a resident and Village Development Committee chairperson said some companies had a tendency of disposing waste in areas designated for people and livestock. She highlighted that the habit was costly to farmers and the beef industry in the country as cattle forage on the dangerous waste.

Former Tsabong South councillor, Mr Sam Brooks, said unappealing working environment has a negative impact on work output as it leads to unproductive working force. Mr Brooks stated that good work is dependent on the mental and physical state of workers. “The happier you are, the more productive you become,” he said.

He also said the Tsabong-Kokotsha road is in a bad state, hence requires maintenance. For his part, Mr van der Westhuizen condemned the business organs that did not adhere to best waste management practices.

He said it was worrisome to hear of cases of companies that failed to play a role in environmental conservation. Mr van der Westhuizen urged the council leadership to keep an eye on companies that indulged in environmental contamination. The legislator said waste was supposed to be disposed in designated dumping sites.

Meanwhile, Mr van der Westhuizen highlighted that the local council authority should tell  companies that contaminated the environment to rectify  the damage. He also appealed for robust edification on the implications of hazardous waste disposal on the environment. ENDS