Jeppe Community Police Forum (JCPF) chairperson Mr Zola Dambula is concerned about illegal dumping in Bezuidenhout Valley.
Mr Dambula and ward 66 councillor Clr Carlos da Rocha were cleaning up illegal dumping at Bezuidenhout Valley on September 6.
“Clr Da Rocha called the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) to come on scene. When they arrived they said they were unable to fine the people who dumped rubbish in the area as they did not have the materials to fine them,” said Mr Dambula.
“It was a disaster with JMPD on scene. They said there is nothing they can do as they do not have the book to fine. They told us that they are doing traffic not by-law enforcement. They have resources yet they do not want to use it,” he said.
“Books are supposed to be in the car all the time. Now the people who dump rubbish everywhere were not fined. If JMPD can come on board and work together with the community and the SAPS we can have a clean and safe area,” said Mr Dambula.
“I now understand the frustrations with the JMPD. When they see an act being committed they will ignore it. I am very disappointed with the JMPD for not responding to stop illegal dumping,” said Mr Dambula.
“Dumping is becoming a huge problem in the sector. JMPD needs to be retrained. They have resources but they do not use them,” said Mr Dambula.
A request for comment was sent to JMPD’s spokesperson Edna Mamonyane on September 9 at 11:13am with a request for comment by September 10 at 9am.
At the time of going to print, no comment had been received.