Metro launches hotline for reporting environmental crimes
One of the avenues is to email EnviroCrimes&Complains@ekurhuleni.gov.za.
The Ekurhuleni metro has warned that illegally disposing of waste is a punishable offence that goes with a hefty sentence and even jail time.
To curb illegal dumping in the region, the city has launched a hotline to enable residents to report culprits of illegal dumping.
Law-abiding citizens can report acts of illegal dumping via email and/or call anonymously. These facilities have not only been created for illegal dumping but also for any form of environmental infringement.
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“We have a responsibility to protect the environment and promote cleanliness, which is why we have launched this hotline,” said metro spokesman Zweli Dlamini.
“Our people rely on the state of cleanliness in the city and we have to respond and work with them to curb any act of criminality against our environment and the people of Ekurhuleni,” he said.
Ekurhuleni Integrated Waste Management By-Laws (2021), prescribes that:
• No person may burn waste either in a public or private place, for the purpose of disposing of that waste and/or salvaging the other products for example scrap metal; and
• No person may incinerate waste either in a public or private place, except in an incinerator at a place where the relevant national or Gauteng provincial authorities permit such incineration in terms of a valid licence, or at a place designated by the municipality for that purpose.
Waste Tyres: Section 41 (1)(3) and (4) further states that:
(1) No person may store and/or stockpile waste tyres in a manner that has the potential to cause pollution of the environment or harm to health and well-being.
(3) No person may recover or dispose of waste tyres in a manner that has the potential to cause pollution of the environment or harm to health and well-being, and,
(4) The owner of the vehicle will be held accountable for his/her vehicle if the vehicle is caught illegally transporting waste tyres.
Residents are encouraged to report environmental crimes by contacting Sifiso Ndwandwe or Justice Ndobe on 011 999 3376/2244, or email EnviroCrimes&Complains@ekurhuleni.gov.za.
