Ward 112 committee member for public safety Otto Ramokoka said he was concerned with the increase in illegal dumping in the area.
Ramokoka, who is also a Sector 3 Crime Forum Patrol commander, urged residents to refrain from dumping garden refuse anywhere around Noordwyk.
“I have noticed some black plastic bags full of garden refuse at the corner of Liebenberg Road and Kiaat Street and others are on Kiaat Street at the bend next to the park. You can identify that they are from the same property. There are dumping places where this garden refuse can be dumped. Let us make our area [what] it used to be,” pleaded Ramokoka.
He requested Ward 112 residents to respect and abide by the municipal by-laws on illegal dumping.
“Let us do the right things. Let us keep our area clean and not burn [litter] or even the garden refuse as some neighbours will report you to the authorities who are responsible for by-laws.”
Ramokoka advised residents to report illegal dumping by taking a picture of the vehicle and registration number, taking note of the time, and sending the details to 071 411 9068.
Johannesburg Metro Police Department spokesperson Xolani Fihla said illegal dumping was a serious concern because it was detrimental to the environment and it was against the City’s by-laws but it was not a criminal offence.
He said although they could not arrest a person(s) found to be illegally dumping, fines range from R1 500 to R5 000.
“The R1 500 fine falls under public open spaces by-laws and the R5 000 fine falls under the waste management by-laws. Unfortunately, we cannot arrest perpetrators for contravening these by-laws, we can only issue fines,” said Fihla.
“The by-laws are not tough enough, we feel that they can be made tougher because we find that the person will pay the fine, but they will keep on transgressing knowing that that they will pay the fine again and continue with their daily operation of illegal dumping.
“That’s why the department would want the by-laws to be amended so officers [are able] to impound the vehicles used to illegally dump which will send a strong message to the perpetrators that if you dump you will have to pay a fine and also pay an impounded fee to get your vehicle back.”
The City’s by-laws against illegal dumping and littering state no person may:
Litter
Sweep waste into the gutter, onto a road, property, or any other public space
No person may dump waste
Disturb anything that has been placed to collect litter in such a manner for its contents to spill from it
Allow any person to do any of the acts referred to above.
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