HEALTH DISASTER LOOMS AS JOBURG RUBBISH PILES UP

A health disaster looms as rubbish piles up all over Johannesburg due to the three week go-slow and strike by Pikitup rubbish collectors.

Lucas Kunene, the DA Candidate in Ward 65 (Malvern in East Johannesburg) says he has seen rats running around the suburb as he canvasses.

Kunene recently retired as Manager of Environment Health in Johannesburg and is an expert in this field. According to Kunene, it takes about three weeks for a rat explosion that can spread disease.

Rats are especially dangerous to children as they can gnaw at them while they are asleep. Flies are another problem as well as cockroaches.

People in informal settlements and overcrowded inner city buildings are particularly at risk because of deficient sanitation.

This is not the first rubbish strike and the city should have had contingency plans with private contractors to pick up the trash.

It's another example of appalling mismanagement in this city. Voters should elect DA candidates like Kunene who can make this city work.

Statement by Jack Bloom MPL, DA Gauteng Health Spokesman, April 15 2011

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