Tshwane metro police have caught a man dumping building rubble in a field next to Ashwood Drive, close by the old Johannesburg road in Clubview on Tuesday afternoon.
Police officers were right across the road when a white construction truck pulled up in a field and started dumping construction rubble. The officers confronted the man, and fined him for illegally dumping building rubble.
“The problem with illegal dumping is that it creates a precedent for others to do the same,” said councillor Ina Strijdom, whose ward includes the Clubview area. “This area is right next to a busy road, and everybody driving past will see this horrid mess.”
According to Strijdom, the land still belongs to the Gauteng road agency, who are apparently planning to use it to widen the Old Johannesburg road in the near future.
Strijdom also commented that people aren’t even allowed to dump rubble or refuse on their own property. “According to the municipality by-laws, every garden needs to be kept tidy. If you don’t comply, the municipality may come into your property, clear the rubbish, and send you the bill.”
Illegal dumping has become a widespread problem not only in Centurion, but Pretoria as a whole. Lindela Mashigo of Tshwane metro has said they were aware of illegal dumping across the city. “We are trying to encourage people to recycle more, and by doing so discourage this unacceptable behaviour.”
Mashigo also says the metro is encouraging people to report any illegal dumping. If residents plan to take a photo or video of violations, “residents should be mindful of their safety.”
Ernest Gottschalk of the environmental manager of refuse removal in Centurion has previously stated the main cause of illegal dumping is the lack of proper dumping sites. “Kwaggasrand and Laudium sites are both full, and have therefore been shut. The Onderstepoort dumping site in Roslynn is still open. Mooiplaas private dumping site, next to Sunderland Ridge is also open, but it is private property, so people need to pay a small fee to dump there.”
Tshwane metro urges anyone who witnesses illegal dumping to contact them immediately, so that they can deal with the matter. They advise people not to handle it themselves. People can contact the city on one of three numbers: 012 358 9467; 012 358 0549 or 0826577271.
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