There seemingly is no end in sight for illegal dumping in Alexandra and surrounds, much to the annoyance of Metro police.
Chief Superintendent Ignus Jona of Metro police Region E in Marlboro said, despite the spot fines of R1 500 for faulty trucks and the charge of R2 510 for impounding trucks for dumping, the penalties appear not to matter as there were many repeat offenders.
“Most of their trucks are in a shocking condition, are just moving coffins and a risk to the drivers and other road users,” he said.
“We impound them [trucks] daily but they are back shortly afterwards with roadworthy certificates obtained from private testing stations.”
He added that when trucks were impounded they were towed to the provincial pound in Germiston at the taxpayers’ expense. “This is fruitless expenditure… their owners pay the fines and, despite being advised to take them for a thorough check at government testing stations, they opt for bogus testing places where they are issued bogus roadworthiness certificates.”
He said Metro police were concerned about the dumpers’ preference for Alex and Marlboro. “Some of the rubble is brought in from as far as Boksburg, Kempton Park and Pretoria.”
He urged the provincial government to increase the penalties to enable Metro police to clamp down on these illegal dumpers.
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