City of Cape Town Link

Wheels come off for illegal dumpers

<figure class="figure-credits right"><img class="responsive" alt="placeholder" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/dumping%203.jpg" style="width:576px;" /><figcaption> © City of Cape Town </figcaption> </figure> The City of Cape Town’s Law Enforcement Department has impounded 67 vehicles used for illegal dumping since the amended Integrated Waste Management By-law came into force at the end of August 2016. The amended By-law allows the City to impound the vehicle of a person caught dumping illegally. The offenders can only reclaim their vehicles once they have paid an admission-of-guilt fine as well as the impoundment release fee. To date, R278 000 in admission-of-guilt fines and impoundment release fees for 47 vehicles amounting to R390 000 have been paid over a seven-month period by people who were caught dumping and had their vehicles impounded. This is but a fraction of the overall littering and dumping enforcement statistics since January 2016, which are outlined below: <table width="100%" class="ms-rteTable-default" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:50%;">Littering fines</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:50%;">124</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Dumping fines</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">369</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Compliance notices</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">1282</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Value of littering fines</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">R61 200</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Value of dumping fines</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">R1 311 700</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Wheelie bins impounded</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">139</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Vehicles impounded</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">67</td></tr></tbody></table> <figure class="figure-credits left"><img class="responsive" alt="placeholder" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/map1.jpg" style="width:426px;" /><figcaption> © City of Cape Town </figcaption> </figure> Of the 67 vehicles impounded, 70% of impoundments occurred in the Wynberg magisterial district – most notably along Duinefontein and Weltevreden Roads in Philippi as well as Jakes Gerwel Drive (see map inset). The impoundments further cement Philippi’s reputation as a dumping hotspot. ‘A staggering 22 cases were recorded along Duinefontein Road. This is completely unacceptable, especially considering that there is a legal waste drop-off site in Schaapkraal Road where up to 1,5 tonnes of garden and builders’ waste can be dropped off, for free. I call on the public to raise the alarm if they spot any vehicles in this area offloading building rubble and other materials. Illegal dumping has a serious impact on the environment and poses a health risk to surrounding communities, but there is also the hidden cost of cleaning up after dumpers which costs ratepayers hundreds of millions of rands each year – money that should be spent more constructively. <figure class="figure-credits right"><img class="responsive" alt="placeholder" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/IMG-20170406-WA0007.jpg" style="width:461px;" /><figcaption> © City of Cape Town </figcaption> </figure> ‘We are still lobbying for the forfeiture/confiscation of vehicles belonging to repeat offenders because that will send the strongest message. As things stand, it is still far too easy for people to reclaim their vehicles and simply continue their dastardly deeds the very next day. The City also implores residents who use rubble removal services to ensure that their waste ends up at the right place. The City has 24 waste drop-off sites across Cape Town, which is more than adequate. Really there is no excuse to dump rubble or waste illegally,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security; and Social Services, Alderman JP Smith. A full list of the waste drop-off sites is available <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Drop_off%20%28waste%29.pdf">here</a>. The City would like to advise residents to please report illegal dumping to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre by dialling <a>021 480 7700</a> from a cellphone or <a>107</a> from a landline, ensuring that their complaint is logged through the appropriate channels. Residents can take photos of offenders who they see dumping or provide any other information that could be useful in prosecuting guilty parties. A reward is payable to any person who supplies information about illegal dumping that results in successful enforcement and prosecution. End

2017-04-12T22:00:00Z

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