Dumping crisis in Pretoria North a further strain on resources
A fine of R5 000 can be issued to anyone caught dumping illegally.
Pretoria North is grappling with persistent illegal dumping, and the Tshwane metro has revealed that limited resources are straining waste management efforts in the area.
According to Tshwane spokesperson Lindela Mashigo waste removal is once a week as per collection schedule.
However, to address the ongoing problem of illegal dumping, the metro relies on a combination of education, enforcement, and a clean-up programme.
Despite these efforts, Pretoria North and Wolmer continue to face recurring waste issues.
The metro has launched campaigns such as Rekaofela, aimed at educating communities about the services it provides and the environmental damage of illegal dumping.
Additionally, the Adopt-a-Spot programme encourages residents, businesses, and organisations to take responsibility for maintaining public spaces, including removing illegal waste, cutting grass, and clearing alien vegetation.
Mashigo said even with these efforts, illegal dumping persists, partly due to a resource shortage.
He said 145 illegal dumping hotspots have been identified in Region 1, which includes Pretoria North.
“These sites are cleaned at least once a month, depending on the availability of resources,” said Mashigo.
While the metro does deploy equipment to remove waste from identified hotspots, Mashigo admitted that illegal dumping clearance is a costly and reactive solution.
“Illegal dumping clearance is a measure implemented to correct wrongdoing at a very high cost.
“Because dumping occurs randomly and without notice, it is difficult for the metro to plan and budget for these activities, which stretches already limited resources,” said Mashigo.
Mashigo said the metro has no plan to increase the frequency of waste collection or provide extra dumpsters in high-risk areas like Wolmer.
He said the problem is not the waste collection schedule, but rather irresponsible public behaviour.
“Increasing the frequency of waste removal would also raise waste tariffs for residents.”
To curb dumping, the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) is being involved in enforcement of waste by-laws.
Anyone caught dumping illegally can be fined R5 000.
Mashigo said the metro continues to run multi-stakeholder clean-up campaigns aimed at raising the awareness of and encouraging active citizenry.
Ward 2 councillor Quentin Meyer urged residents to stop illegal dumping.
“We recently tackled three major illegal dumping hotspots in Ward 2.
“Two of these were in Wolmer, one at Wolmer Park in Jopie Fourie Street and the other in Pagel Street between Broodryk and Bakenkloof. The third was in Pretoria North on Koos de la Rey Street,” said Meyer.
He said illegal dumping is becoming a serious problem in the community.
“We simply cannot continue cleaning up every week. Our resources are limited, yet we are doing our best to keep Ward 2 clean. But we need your help.
“Let’s work together for a cleaner and healthier community. If you see anyone dumping illegally, take a photo and forward it to me. We must hold those responsible accountable.”
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
