Dump illegally, pay dearly: Mogale City warns polluters
From illegal dumping to wetland destruction, offenders could face steep penalties as Mogale City urges the public to help bring environmental crimes to light.
Businesses and residents in Mogale City risk multi-million-rand penalties or prison time if caught polluting the local environment.
According to Mogale City Local Municipality’s Department of Integrated Environmental Management (DIEM), environmental crimes often go unnoticed, but their impact is felt by everyone. Whether it is illegal dumping, pollution of rivers and streams, or harmful emissions into the atmosphere, environmental offences can have a lasting impact on public health, natural resources and the communities we live in.
Mogale City’s head of Corporate Communications Adrian Amod says businesses and residents are encouraged to operate responsibly and report activities that may negatively impact the environment.
Environmental crimes include activities that violate environmental laws and regulations and result in pollution, environmental degradation, or harm to ecosystems.
• Also read: Illegal dump site ‘closed’ near N14 in Muldersdrift still a cause for concern
Examples include:
• Illegal dumping of waste on open land, wetlands, or into stormwater systems
• Discharging sewage or wastewater into rivers, streams or other watercourses
• Poaching of protected or endangered species
• Illegal clearing of indigenous vegetation or destruction of wetlands
• Accidental or negligent spills of hazardous substances that may harm the environment
• Building or erecting structures in environmentally sensitive areas such as wetlands or riverbanks
The role of environmental management inspectors
“Environmental Management Inspectors conduct inspections and investigations to monitor compliance with environmental legislation. Individuals and businesses found to be in contravention of environmental laws may face fines of up to R10m, imprisonment of up to 10 years, or both,” Amod says.
The municipality encourages all stakeholders to play their part in protecting the environment and preventing pollution.
Residents and businesses can report suspected environmental offences through the municipal Call Centre on 0861 664 253 or via WhatsApp on 083 787 2814.
When reporting an incident, please provide:
• The nature of the activity or offence
• The location of the incident
• Details of the suspected transgressor, where available
• Photographs or other supporting evidence, if possible
