Illegal dumping: Law Enforcement officers impound 100+ trucks
23 August 2025
The City's by-laws make provision for the impoundment of vehicles used in the act of dumping. In the last financial year, 106 vehicles were impounded. Read more below:
Illegal Dumping remains a persistent environmental and public health issue across the city.
In the last three years, vehicle impounds linked to illegal dumping have remained in triple digit territory, from just 47 in the 2021/22 financial year.
In the most recent 12-month period, the Law Enforcement Department impounded 106 vehicles.
One team's efforts in particular have stood out - the Anti-Land Invasion Unit's B Shift impounded 25 trucks along Malibongwe Drive in Dunoon and Old Faure Road in Mfuleni.
'This team has had particular success because they conducted consistent patrols and monitoring of known and emerging illegal dumping hotspots in their areas. We commend their efforts, but also the department as a whole. Illegal dumping causes environmental degradation, and public health risks and encourages further dumping. Also, the increased cost of waste removal operations puts unnecessary pressure on the public purse. So our staff will continue to issue fines and impound vehicles used in the act of illegal dumping to hold perpetrators to account,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
Fines issued in terms of the Integrated Waste By-law increased by nearly 60% from 12 825 in 2023/24 to 20 356.
ILLEGAL DUMPING TRENDS
- Builders rubble and general waste are common items that are dumped
- Residents relying on scrap collectors to dispose of garden refuse and builders' rubble, only for it to be dumped in the very area in which the waste generator lives
- Hotspot areas are found across the metropole, including Atlantis Industrial Area, AZ Berman Road in Mitchells Plain, Blackheath, Blue Downs, Duinefontein Road, Dunoon, Eersteriver, Eisleben Road, Elsies River, Kalkfontein, Kuils River, Muizenberg, Old Lansdowne Road, Parkwood, Philippi East, Retreat, Strandfontein Road, Swartklip Road, Vrygrond, Wallacedene, Wesbank and Wynberg
FINES
- The fine for illegal dumping is R2 500
- The vehicle impoundment release fee is R8 700
- Should the same vehicle be impounded a second time, the release fee is R11 700, and R17 400 for a third offence
'We can't tolerate such disregard for the environment and public safety and so our enforcement services will continue their efforts to track down offenders. I remind the public that they too can play a role. If you witness illegal dumping, take down details of the incident like time and location, and a description of the vehicle. Photographs too can assist in tracking down and taking action against the perpetrator. Alternatively, submit an anonymous tip for our services to follow up,' said Alderman Smith.
Illegal dumping in progress can be reported to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700.
Tips for potential reward can be submitted via the City’s 24-hour tip-off line on 0800 110 077.
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
