Stop burning rubbish

Northam – The Thabazimbi Local Municipality (TLM) has promised to crack the whip on all those responsible for starting illegal fires in Northam.   

On Thursday 8 July, a ‘good Samaritan’, thinking he was reducing the workload of the TLM decided to burn rubbish at the Northam Taxi Rank. ‘Rubbish’ you would say. The culprit was reprimanded by senior superintendent waste management Oscar Selamolela.

“We have taken note of the incident and will be investigating the matter internally.”

The Northam Rate Payers Association is also looking into alternative ways for commuters to keep warm without needing to start open fires. 

Corner of Botha street and Brits road 
In a similar incident, concerned community members have complained that at around 5:00 in the mornings, fires are lit at the corner of Botha Street and Brits Road. They fear that these fires, which are not only illegal but are also not monitored, are a threat to the safety and well-being of the community.

TLM has warned community members about how this practice poses serious dangers to business premises, the environment and pedestrians. 

Northam satellite area manager Fred Mariri told Platinum Bushvelder: “We understand that the people who usually start these fires, do so to keep warm. However, this practice cannot be allowed because it is dangerous.” 

Mariri said the municipality would engage with the fire department with the view of arresting all those responsible for starting these fires. 

“We are warning all those responsible for this to stop because if they don’t, the full might of the law will descend on them,” he said.