The Arlington tip has gained notoriety for robberies, prompting the police to caution visitors to be vigilant and avoid accepting assistance from strangers.
Over the years, crime at the site has been widely reported, with the situation getting worse.
The attacks at the city’s biggest municipal refuse site started in mid-2019.
In some of the incidents, the victims were stabbed and beaten.
Dozens of cases of robberies and stabbings have been reported to the police over the years.
However, there's some good news on the horizon as the municipality has taken a significant step towards putting an end to this.
Multimillion-rand security upgrades will start on October 1, with the project to be implemented in phases.
It will include the construction of a solid concrete 6km fence that will replace the damaged concrete palisade fencing.
Gates, a security watch tower, CCTV cameras and additional ablution facilities for recyclers will be installed.
The deteriorating condition of the fencing surrounding the tip has not only jeopardised security, but also led to a decline in compliance audit ratings, dropping from 95% to a worrying 70%.
This noncompliance puts the municipality at risk of losing its operating permit, a consequence that would be detrimental to thousands of residents.
This project is long overdue, considering that the Arlington tip has been serving the community since 1997 and is the fourth-largest waste disposal site in the country,
The upgrades offer a beacon of hope for the safety of all those who rely on the waste disposal site.
But public health executive director Sizwe Mvunelwa said the involvement of all stakeholders was critical for the success of the project.
“We need the community to work with us to protect the workers on site as we all know this area is rife in criminal activities.
“We want the project to run smoothly, so we don’t want any delays as this is long overdue and much needed,” he said.
On top of this, the municipality has declared a so-called war on illegal dumping, but when residents want to do so legally it has been a risk at the tip.
The launch of the security upgrade is a promising and vital step towards creating a safer environment.
HeraldLIVE