By-law Enforcement Unit achieves significant successes in 2024

05 February 2025

The City of Cape Town's Urban Waste Management By-law Enforcement Unit continues to make impactful strides in combatting illegal dumping.

Through strategic operations, focused enforcement and community partnerships, the unit continues work to help ensure responsible waste management in our communities.

Key achievements:
• 604 fines issued for illegal dumping, amounting to a total value of R1 223 500;
• 865 illegal dumping complaints attended to; and
• 385 compliance notices issued to offenders;

While enforcement remains a critical tool, the unit also supports education and awareness efforts, aiming to foster a culture of environmental responsibility within communities. However, the effectiveness of these initiatives relies heavily on active community participation.

Call to action
Residents are urged to collaborate with the By-law Enforcement Unit by reporting illegal dumping activities.

‘We want to correct the pattern in Cape Town where areas most affected by illegal dumping generally submit the fewest reports. Photographs of offenders in the act, accompanied by identifiable details, such as vehicle registration numbers, can significantly aid in applying the law effectively and ensuring cleaner and healthier communities.

‘We cannot have an officer on every street corner, but with the community's eyes and support, we can create cleaner, safer neighbourhoods.

‘The City remains committed to maintaining a cleaner Cape Town, but success depends on strong partnerships between the enforcement unit and the residents it serves,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management, Alderman Grant Twigg.

Report illegal dumping
To report illegal dumping in your community, contact the City Call Centre on 0860 103 089.

If you have the person's vehicle registration number and/or can identify them, call the City on 021 444 6231/021 444 6224/021 444 6223 or email solidwaste.bylaw@capetown.gov.za.

Caption: The City’s Urban Waste Management By-law Enforcement Unit in action.

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office