Residents are fed up with the quantity of illegally dumped rubble that is left in parks and vacant land.
The latest illegal dumping was seen along the Emmarentia Botanical Gardens’ fence on Olifants Road and on an open stretch of land along Anton van Wouw Street.
Concerned resident, Mike Browne said that one of the issues is that there is a lack of convenient areas where rubble can be legally dumped. “Also, Johannesburg Metro Police Department does not enforce the bylaws.” He added that there have been several incidents where residents have caught a bakkie about to dump rubble and the police department was called and seemed reluctant to get involved.
However, Johannesburg Metro Police Department spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said that action against those who illegally dump is taken and that evidence of this action can be proved by the number of fines issued. He added that there are hefty fines given to people who dump illegally. R500 for a small amount of litter, R1 000 for a bakkie-full and R1 500 for rubble. “If residents see an officer not doing his job by enforcing the law, then the residents can complain to internal affairs and that officer will be investigated,” said Minnaar.
Alex Frost, co-founder of Green Beings Team, a non-profit organisation centred around the education of the importance of the environment, said that illegal dumping can really bring the value of land down. “Also dumping can be used as a hideout for rats.”
Frost explained that rubble can be recycled into cement and that companies would be wise to consider the positive effects of developing rubble-recycling initiatives that would not only help the environment, but assist in job creation. He also said that there are not enough dump sites in our communities and this is a major problem.
He concluded by imploring community members to ensure that they hire the correct businesses for the removal of their dumping. “People need to hire businesses that are reputable and do the proper background checks on that company.”
