Urban Waste’s By-law Enforcement Unit continues to clamp down on illegal dumping
11 June 2023
Dumping and littering is an ongoing problem across our metro, costing the City of Cape Town more than R300 million a year. The Urban Waste Management (UWM) Directorate’s Solid Waste By-law Enforcement Unit has been on the ground to help create a clean, green city. Read more below:
The 23 officers and 36 auxiliary officers who make up the Urban Waste By-law Enforcement Unit have been doing educational awareness and engagement with residents and businesses around illegal dumping hotspots.
During March and April 2023 a total of 23 fines, to the value of R57 500, were issued for littering and illegal dumping. In addition, 23 notices were issued to transgressors to appear in court and 79 service requests were attended to.
Fines were issued during routine patrols, as well as special operations focussing on:- Bellville, and
- Cape Town CBD
Awareness drives are ongoing in:
- Athlone,
- Hout Bay, and
- Gugulethu
An additional 36 auxiliary officers have been recruited and they will be deployed across several areas. Another 36 officers are set to begin training in the upcoming months, following which they will assist the unit.'Our officers are committed to fighting illegal dumping at the source – through their clean-up and education efforts – but they cannot have eyes on every street corner. We are calling on residents to help us by recording evidence for us to use during prosecution.
'We need to work together as a city to curb this occurrence, hold each other accountable and create an environment we all want to live in,' said Alderman Grant Twigg, Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management.
What residents need to know:- There are City drop-off sites throughout Cape Town. See the locations here: https://bit.ly/41Rus24
- The City has a 24-hour toll-free number (0800 110077) to report tip-offs about illegal dumping activity. Those convicted of illegal dumping could be fined up to R5 000, have their vehicle impounded, or face a two-year prison sentence.
In addition, for every report that leads to a fine and conviction, the City is offering a reward from R1 000 up to R5 000, depending on the offence.
- Please call 0860 103 089 to notify the City about dumping that needs to be cleared.
Published by:
Media Office, City of Cape Town
