The City of Ekurhuleni opens a hotline to report environmental crimes

The CoE condemns illegal dumping because it is a crime that carries a severe penalty, like possible jail time.

The city now has a hotline where locals can report offenders for unlawful dumping.

According to the spokesperson of CoE, Zweli Dlamini, the hotline is for any environmental violation, not just unlawful dumping.

“We have a responsibility to protect the environment and promote cleanliness. That is why we launched this hotline. Our people rely on cleanliness in the city, and we have to respond and work with them to curb any acts of criminality against our environment and the people of Ekurhuleni,”

Law-abiding individuals can call or send an anonymous email to report illegal dumping.

Mandated under the Ekurhuleni Integrated Waste Management By-law (2021) are the following:

• No person may burn waste in a public or private place for the purpose of disposing of that waste and/or salvaging the other products eg, scrap metal; and

• No person may incinerate waste in a public or private place except in an incinerator where the relevant national or Gauteng provincial authorities permit such incineration in terms of a valid licence or at a place designated by the municipality for that purpose.

Waste tyre:

Section 41 (1)(3) and (4) further states:

• No person may store and/or stockpile waste tyres in a manner that has the potential to cause pollution of the environment or harm to health and well-being.

• No person may recover or dispose of waste tyres in a manner that has the potential to cause pollution of the environment or harm to health and well-being; and

• The owner of the vehicle will be held accountable for his/her vehicle if the vehicle is caught illegally transporting waste tyres.

Residents are urged to report environmental crimes to Sifiso Ndwandwe or Justice Ndobe on 011 999 3376/2244 or by email on EnviroCrimes&Complains@ekurhuleni.gov.za.