Police tighten screws on illegal dumping

Metro police at Marlboro Police Station have taken a harsher stance on trucks caught dumping illegally in Setswetla informal settlement and Alexandra.

In the article (Blitz on illegal dumping pays off in week ending 7 August), this paper reported that four trucks were impounded after being caught dumping red-handed in Setswetla, and that the vehicles were also unroadworthy. They have now been

towed to the Germiston police pound still loaded with rubble and metal waste.

Two of them had previously been struck off the road for unroadworthiness, but surprisingly, were back on the road. The defects include poor brakes and clutches, no rearview mirrors, wobbly steering racks, worn tyres and no vehicle registration. The station superintendent, Ignus Jonas said, “These trucks are moving coffins waiting to cause death, and should be prevented from

operating on any public road. The drivers know [they are acting illegally] as they have been caught before. We are taking harsher measures to protect their own lives, [lives] of other road users, the surrounding environment and the health of residents.”

He added that the drivers’ and truck owners’ intentions were selfish, and also those who gave them the business should be aware that they are colluding in the commission of a crime.

Jonas stated that the trucks will undergo rigorous tests to determine if they are repairable, the gravity of the offences, the number of fines, and the conditions under which they could be released.

“We are also conducting investigations to determine the testing stations which issued them roadworthy certificates after they were

taken off the road. Appropriate measures will be taken against the station(s) found to have done so,” he added.

Illegal dumping is a concern for the City with several councillors calling for stricter measures. Jonas added that they would take a harsher stance. As a deterrent and warning to those intent on illegal dumping they would impound loaded and unloaded stationary trucks found to be defective. He urged those involved in the rubble removal business to have their trucks tested properly and to dump their loads at designated areas.

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