Illegal dumping to be addressed
Programme will encourage residents to be involved in eradicating illegal dumping
The residents of Roodepoort, especially near Princess informal settlement, are no strangers to witnessing people dumping waste illegally.
The Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Public Safety, councillor Michael Sun, together with the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department’s By-law Management Unit (BMU) will be working hard to put an end to this practice.
Illegal dumping is said to be encouraged by operators who charge anything from R600 to R2 000 to collect and dispose of a load of waste, ranging from domestic and garden refuse to building rubble and even toxic waste.
Unfortunately, many waste collectors do not dispose of it legally. They often dump it in open fields, parks and even into river systems, contaminating valuable water sources and polluting our environment.
“Illegal dumping often takes place quickly, which makes it difficult to trace and apprehend the culprits,” Sun said.
The BMU has taken a positive step towards eradicating illegal dumping by initiating a Community Active Programme. This programme encourages residents to be actively involved in the fight against illegal dumping by reporting it to the authorities.
“I urge residents to take action when they see an illegal dumper in action by taking clear photos showing the culprit, the vehicle with registration number and the waste that is being dumped. Send the photos with the date, time and location to our dedicated officer at BMU. We will, based on the information received, trace and prosecute the illegal dumper,” Sun said.
Residents are encouraged not to ignore it if they see someone dumping waste illegally and send their tip-offs to the Deputy Director, Zed Mangaliso on WhatsApp or by SMS. His number is 082 779 1361. Sun said all tip-offs will be treated as confidential.
Sun concluded by saying, “With our residents’ help, we are certain that we can put an end to illegal dumping in the city.”
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