After stern warnings by the City of Johannesburg’s MMC for Public Safety, Michael Sun, that community members should refrain from illegal dumping in the area, the deputy chairperson of Midrand Community Policing Forum (CPF), Takis Michalakis shared the importance of blowing the whistle against illegal dumping.
On 2 December, members of the community driving on the M71 on Main Road started hooting. “Upon investigation members of the Midrand CPF Sector 4 found that the motorists were hooting because someone was dumping rubble on the road reserve near the Leeuwkop Prison Property,” Michalakis said.
He added that the CPF members then blocked the exit and immediately called the Metro police to address the issue. “The Metro police provided a very prompt service. All of the rubble on this particular trip were loaded back onto the bakkie and the vehicle of the dumpers was impounded. It will only be released on payment of a fine,” Michalakis said.
Michalakis believes that the rubble belongs to Team Construction, a contractor who specialises in tiling and plumbing, who was probably doing work for a Lonehill or Fourways homeowner. “Unfortunately, the contractor would not disclose their exact address,” said Michalakis.
He stressed that it was very important for residents to appoint reputable contractors who can demonstrate that they are using registered dumps for their rubble. “Residents can do this by withholding part of the payment and releasing it only on receiving a copy of the receipt from the municipal dump site.”
Michalakis added that in future the CPF will take stronger action to identify the homeowners who do not comply and provide that information to the law enforcement agency for further sanction.
Sun urged community members to take clear pictures of culprits, vehicle registration numbers and the waste dumped and send the pictures with the date, time and location to forum’s WhatsApp number, 082 779 1361. “Residents are encouraged to send illegal dumping tip-offs via WhatsApp or SMS. All tip-offs are anonymous. Let us fight to put an end to illegal dumping in the area.”
Thomas Sithole of Team Construction said, “I was not around when my workers were caught dumping the waste on the road reserve. I clearly told them to dump the waste in Boksburg [and] now I am in trouble with local people.”
He added that due to the whole ordeal, he now has to pay a fine in order to retrieve his vehicle but wished to reassure community members that they will not be involved in any illegal dumping again.
