A truck driver dumping building rubble illegally on the corner of John Adamson Drive and Milner Avenue on 11 November was caught red-handed by residents and received a R1 500 fine.
Illegal dumping is a growing pain for Region B suburbs and open areas are frequently littered with heaps of building rubble, possibly from construction sites around Johannesburg.
Ward 88 councillor Nicholas Lorimer said the truck was spotted by a resident who has allegedly seen it dump rubble before. “The resident tried blocking the truck and the driver tried to escape [in the vehicle], but its wheels dug into the ground and the truck got stuck,” he said.
Lorimer added that Metro police’s Illegal Dumping Unit was eventually called to the scene. According to Lorimer, photos from residents indicate that the truck could be involved in repeat offenses.
The vehicle was impounded by Metro police and a fine was issued to the owner. R1 500 is the maximum fine that can be issued for illegal dumping.
“We could not find out who the guy worked for, he kept quiet,” Lorimer said. The ward councillor explained that illegal dumping is becoming worse in the surrounding suburbs and entities such as Pikitup are overwhelmed by the cleaning up thereof.
Spokesperson for Metro police, Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar, confirmed that the truck has been impounded until the fine for it has been paid. “They are taking a shortcut instead of dumping at the designated landfill sites. Companies will simply pay the fine and continue with construction,” Minnaar said.
Ward 99 councillor Nicole van Dyk, said illegal dumping requires residents to be more vigilant by reporting vehicles. “Due to the City of Johannesburg’s rapid growth, there are many construction sites in and around Joburg. I think the City would need to start looking at creating more dumping sites.”
Details: If you suspect a vehicle is dumping illegally, contact 011 490 1630 or 011 375 5911 or take a photo of the vehicle and its number plate and send it to Metro police’s Head of Bylaw Enforcement’s director Mathakoza Kgaswane at mathakozak@joburg.org.za
