Illegal dumping in Joburg has escalated, and ward councillors and Metro police say dumpers don’t drive to designated landfill sites and instead ‘take shortcuts’.
MMC for Public Safety Michael Sun said, “For too long, illegal dumpers have prospered at the expense of our City and the health of our residents and environment.”
Sun said he knew of operators who charge anything between R600 and R2 000 to collect a load of waste, only to dump it illegally. “This waste ranges from domestic and garden refuse to building rubble and even toxic waste. Waste is dumped in open velds, parks and even into the river systems, which in turn pollutes our environment and contaminates our valuable water resources.”
He urged residents to report illegal dumping. The City’s Metro police bylaw management unit has initiated a programme encouraging residents to do just that.
Sun said illegal dumping often takes place quickly, making it difficult to trace and arrest culprits. But he urged residents to take clear photos that show the culprit, the vehicle’s registration number and the dumped waste, and send the photos with the date, time and location of the dumping to Metro police.
“We will, based on the information received, trace and prosecute the illegal dumper,” he said.
Residents are encouraged to send their tip-offs to deputy director Zed Mangaliso by sending a WhatsApp or SMS to 082 779 1361. All tip-offs remain anonymous.
Read: Clamping down on illegal dumping in Linksfield
