By: Zimaseka Daka
In trying to avoid refuse from piling up and catching illnesses, block A residents at Garcia Flats in Cambridge burnt their own refuse on Wednesday.
Ward committee member and resident Annette Foster said, residents are concerned about the health and safety of their children and that scattered refuse around the yard might cause diseases. She added that residents have been dealing with rats, maggots and flies coming in and out of their flats.
The concerned resident said, management of the Solid Waste Department promised to collect the refuse after several complaints had been lodged but did not fulfil their promise.
“After two weeks of uncollected refuse, residents decided to load all the litter in plastic bags and burn it themselves,” said Foster.
She further expressed that residents in block A have not received black plastic bags per usual, which makes it difficult for them to even take the refuse out of the flats.
“We talk to our caretaker about such incidents but he never does anything about our complaints and we feel like he is getting paid for doing nothing,” said Foster.