Illegal dumping has been an ongoing problem for the CoE and particular residents for a long time.

The CoE took a bold decision after the chief magistrate at the Johannesburg Magistrate’s 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.

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 to imprisonment for three years.

The city spokesperson Zweli Dlamini emphasised that with this decision the city aims to fight illegal dumping.

“Our responsibility as a city is to now implement these punitive measures effectively so that we get to win the battle against illegal dumping.

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.”

Residents can visit official dumping facilities such as Heidelburg Road Transfer Station where they can dump limited, general and non-hazardous solid waste, including garden waste, rubble less than one cubic meter, and recyclable materials like paper, plastic, glass, cardboard, wood, and metal.