Illegal dumping in our area around the Rand Water Board / Kromvlei cemetery / Golden City shooting range / Sharondale Nursery has become a very big problem, and instead of complaining about it, I was wondering what could positively be done to assist with this problem.
There are large numbers of cyclists and motorcyclists that frequent off-road areas like this one all over the country, and 60 per cent of them have video cameras to record their ride.
This would necessarily mean that there is a lot of footage out there of people illegally dumping, where they have been caught on camera by people that use these trails for exercise and fun.
I am pretty sure if a platform becomes available, and people with videos of dumping are encouraged to send in their footage, hundreds of videos will pour in showing these offenders so that they can be dealt with. I think it will also act as a deterrent for people who make themselves guilty of this, by letting them know the chances they will be prosecuted are now greater.
Just thinking out loud… Not sure if this is helpful.
I heard that according to the EMPD, video footage is not considered legitimate evidence and cannot be used in court, supposedly because it can be ‘edited’.
It would appear there is a lack of will to tackle these issues on the part of the authorities who are meant to enforce the law. They use video and camera evidence to prosecute speeding, so saying that video evidence is not allowed is laughable.
It would be interesting to hear their thoughts on this also.
Social media may be the way to go, but I assume very little will come from whinging on a social platform.
The RECORD is awaiting comment from the EMPD.
Ideas Man
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