Warning to illegal dumpers

A driver was caught dumping waste on Oscar Mpetha Drive in Khayelitsha.
The City of Cape Town’s Law Enforcement Department yesterday caught occupants of a vehicle, who were illegally dumping construction material along Baden Powell Drive.

The driver was fined and the vehicle was impounded.

Mayor Dan Plato says this type of behaviour is completely unacceptable and is a risk not only to the environment, but also to public health. 

“I have asked the City’s Law Enforcement officials to be extra vigilant with those suspected of illegal dumping as they are placing a massive burden on our staff to keep our communities clean when it is private businesses who are making this mess,” said Mr Plato.

The City has 26 drop-off sites for garden refuse, builders’ materials and any other items that do not fit into household wheelie bins. 

Mr Plato said: “Any person found to be dumping illegally is issued with a Section 56 written notice, which carries a fine of R5 000. The dumper is also liable for an impoundment release fee of R8 426 before they can reclaim their vehicle.”

In a separate incident, a driver of a bakkie was caught dumping waste at the corner of Parklands Main Road and Sandown Road on Tuesday January 15. The driver was fined and the bakkie was impounded.

On Saturday January 12, officers on patrol along Baden Powell Drive in Khayelitsha came across boxes of dumped meat along the side of the road. While at the scene, they spotted the driver of another vehicle illegally dumping materials across the road.

Between July and December 2018, City officials have impounded 21 vehicles and issued fines totalling R94 950 in terms of the Integrated Waste Management By-Law.