Illegal dumping now criminal offence in City of Ekurhuleni

Illegal dumping is now a punishable criminal offence in the City of Ekurhuleni, with a hefty fine or jail time.

This comes after the Chief Magistrate at the Johannesburg Magistrate Court determined and approved the implementation of the admission of guilt fines (in terms of Section 57(5) of Criminal Procedure Act, Act 51 of 1977, in respect of offences in terms of contraventions of City of Ekurhuleni Integrated Waste Management By-Law with effect from March 3.

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In terms of Section 53 of the Integrated Waste Management Bylaw, 2021, illegal dumping of any waste is prohibited within the city.

Any natural or juristic person found illegally dumping waste may be charged as follows:

• A spot fine (Administrative) of R10 000; or

• May upon conviction depending on the magnitude of the offence, be liable to a fine not exceeding R100 000 or imprisonment for three years.

“Ours as a city is to now implement these punitive measures effectively so that we get to win the battle against illegal dumping,” said city spokesman Zweli Dlamini.

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“Such fines and sentences are key in discouraging people from illegal dumping because an individual will think about the punishment before they embark on such illegal activities,” said Dlamini.

Full documents on the description of all offences and fines are obtainable from COE website and CCC’s.