The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport (GDRT) is calling on motorists and communities to stop littering and illegal dumping along provincial roads and in public spaces.

The department warned that accumulated waste can create hazardous conditions that may contribute to road accidents.

Gauteng Roads and Transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela said illegal dumping diverts funds from service delivery to clearing hazardous spaces.

She said these costs could be avoided if everyone played their part.

“Illegal dumping and littering also increase the frequency and cost of infrastructure maintenance, placing an additional burden on government resources.”

She said beyond being unsightly and costly to clean up, roadside litter and illegally dumped waste can obstruct roads, compromise visibility and create potential hazards for motorists and other road users.

Diale-Tlabela said it is also an offence to spill, drop, place or dispose of litter, waste or any other substance on a public road, pavement or stormwater kerb inlet.

She said the department is therefore urging communities to take responsibility for keeping public spaces clean, while strengthening efforts to enforce relevant environmental and road safety regulations.

“The call forms part of Gauteng’s Bontle ke Botho campaign, a clean-and-green environmental programme that encourages residents to work together to combat littering and illegal dumping.”

Clean-up operations support circular economy

As part of its routine road maintenance programme, GDRT cuts grass and removes litter along provincial routes to keep roads safe and accessible.

GDRT transports all waste collected during these operations to registered municipal landfill sites.

“These efforts also support the province’s commitment to building a circular economy by creating opportunities for waste pickers, buy-back centres and local recycling initiatives, turning waste management into a source of economic activity and job creation.”

Diale-Tlabela said the department has reminded residents that the Gauteng Transport Infrastructure Act requires provincial road reserves to remain free of unauthorised activities and illegal occupation to protect road users and preserve road infrastructure.

“The act prohibits activities such as unauthorised trading, planting crops or vegetables, abandoning disused vehicles or machinery, and occupying road reserves without permission.”

She appealed to motorists and communities to take greater responsibility for their surroundings and understand the wider consequences of littering.

“People may think that throwing away just one piece of litter a day is harmless, but those small actions add up. By the end of a month or a year, they can result in huge piles of rubbish. This places unnecessary pressure on public finances and projects aimed at improving road infrastructure,” she said.

The MEC has further urged residents to consider the environmental consequences of their waste disposal habits and to use responsible waste management and recycling facilities.

Motorists and community members are encouraged to report incidents of illegal dumping to the relevant authorities so they can investigate and address it.

Residents can use the following numbers to report illegal dumping:

The Tshwane Metro Police Department 24-hour line on 012 358 7095/6 for illegal dumping on roadsides or open spaces in Tshwane.

The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport Head Office or Switchboard on 011 355 7332 or the National Environmental Crimes and Incidents Hotline on 0800 205 005. This line is operated 24 hours by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.

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