MEDIA RELEASE
Bin it or face a fine
The Urban Waste Management Directorate’s Solid Waste By-law Enforcement Unit (SWM BLEU) is the City’s last line of defence against illegal dumping and littering. This year the number of officers is planned to increase, allowing us to deter illegal dumping through patrols and compliance inspections at businesses. Read more below:
A high resolution photograph is available here:
The City would like to thank the residents who have been hard at work cleaning up their communities through organised clean-ups. Illegal dumping in the City of Cape Town continues to be an enduring challenge. Currently, there are more than 2 700 known dumping hotspots, i.e. vacant land where there is frequent dumping. Dumping and littering is by no means limited to these hotspots.
The City would like to thank the residents who have been hard at work cleaning up their communities through organised clean-ups. Illegal dumping in the City of Cape Town continues to be an enduring challenge. Currently, there are more than 2 700 known dumping hotspots, i.e. vacant land where there is frequent dumping. Dumping and littering is by no means limited to these hotspots.
Considering the size of the city’s population, it becomes clear that residents have the biggest part to play in addressing illegal dumping and littering.
The City is doing its best to tackle this issue with 14 by-law enforcement officers tasked with patrolling these areas, as well as performing compliance inspections at businesses to ensure appropriate waste management plans are in place. This will increase to 19 with the planned appointment of five new inspectors. A regional coordinator position has also been created that will help better optimise limited resources to tackle this enormous problem.
The Solid Waste By-law Enforcement unit has reported impressive results between August 2022 and January 2023, 936 fines to the value of R1 825 600 have been issued for illegal dumping, and 298 fines to the value of R133 500 were issued for littering. In addition, the unit issued 1 146 notices to appear in court.
‘There are simply not yet enough officers to keep eyes on known dumping hotspots so that perpetrators can be caught in the act. Fines can be issued, and we can start turning the tide. I call on residents to help act as our eyes and ears. I ask you to take photos of illegal dumping in progress so we can fine people who dump and make them think twice before putting our communities’ health at risk again,’ said Alderman Grant Twigg, Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management.
‘There are simply not yet enough officers to keep eyes on known dumping hotspots so that perpetrators can be caught in the act. Fines can be issued, and we can start turning the tide. I call on residents to help act as our eyes and ears. I ask you to take photos of illegal dumping in progress so we can fine people who dump and make them think twice before putting our communities’ health at risk again,’ said Alderman Grant Twigg, Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management.
‘The communities that play an active role in the fight against crime and work with Law Enforcement services do see improvements in the amount of illegal dumping. As communities, you do not have to accept dumping as part of your life. This isn’t something we can turn around quickly, but with the right commitment and cooperation, we can make a big difference in the long term,’ said Alderman Twigg.
The City has launched a 24-hour toll-free number (0800 110077) to report tip-offs about illegal dumping activity. Those convicted of illegal dumping could be fined up to R5 000, have their vehicle impounded, or face a two-year prison sentence. In addition, for every report that leads to a fine and conviction, the City is offering a reward from R1 000 up to R5 000, depending on the offence.
To notify the City about dumping that needs to be cleared please call 0860 103 089.
The City has launched a 24-hour toll-free number (0800 110077) to report tip-offs about illegal dumping activity. Those convicted of illegal dumping could be fined up to R5 000, have their vehicle impounded, or face a two-year prison sentence. In addition, for every report that leads to a fine and conviction, the City is offering a reward from R1 000 up to R5 000, depending on the offence.
To notify the City about dumping that needs to be cleared please call 0860 103 089.
CITY OF CAPE TOWN MEDIA RELEASE : Bin it or face a fine