Yesterday morning, the City’s Law Enforcement Department caught the occupants of a vehicle illegally dumping construction material alongside Baden Powell Drive. The driver was fined and the vehicle impounded.
“The type of behaviour displayed by these offenders is completely unacceptable and is a risk not only to the environment, but also to public health. I have asked the City’s Law Enforcement officials to be extra vigilant with those suspected of illegal dumping as they are placing a massive burden on our staff to keep our communities clean when it is private businesses who are making this mess,” said Executive Mayor Dan Plato.
The City has 26 drop-off sites for garden refuse, builders’ materials and any other items that do not fit into household wheelie bins. These sites are considered to be more than adequate for legal and safe waste disposal, so the continuance of illegal disposals is seen as inexcusable.
Any person found to be dumping illegally will be issued with a Section 56 written notice which carries a fine of R5 000. The dumper will also for an impoundment release fee of R8 426 before they will be able to reclaim their vehicle.
Between July and December 2018, the City impounded 21 vehicles and issued fines in terms of the Integrated Waste Management By-Law that totalled to R94 950.
“I am calling on the community to report illegal dumping to 021 480 7700 from a cell phone or 107 from a landline. We urge members of the public to help us catch these criminals who are polluting our communities and effectively forcing the City to spend millions of rands each year to clean up their dirty deeds – money that can be spent more effectively on service delivery,” said Plato.
Other incidents recorded in the last week include one in which a driver of a bakkie was found dumping waste at the corner of Parklands Main Road and Sandown Road on Tuesday 15 January 2019. The driver was fined and the bakkie impounded.
Just three days later, officers on patrol along Baden Powell Drive in Khayelitsha came across boxes of dumped meat on the side of the road. While dealing with the matter, they spotted the driver of another vehicle illegally dumping materials on the other side of the road.
This kind of dumping could have major health implications, and there have been past incidents of people collecting and selling expired foodstuffs to unsuspecting buyers.
Images: Supplied
