In the last 12 months, the City’s Law Enforcement Department impounded 247 vehicles used for illegal dumping. That’s a 133% increase compared to the 106 impounds the year before. And, while the numbers are impressive, it’s indicative of a growing battle linked to unlawful land occupations.
Nearly 60% of the vehicle impounds took place in the eastern part of the city.
Hotspots in this area include Old Faure Road & Mew Way, Driftsands; Old Faure Road & Eersteriver Way, Mfuleni; Blueberry Hill, Eerste River/Blue Downs; Baden Powel Drive & Swartklip Road, Khayelitsha; Macassar Road, Macassar; Broadlands Road, Strand and Onverwacht Road in Somerset West.
Hotspots in other parts of the city include the Atlantis Industrial Area, Duinefontein Road, Dunoon, Eisleben Road, Elsies River, Kalkfontein, Kuils River, Muizenberg, Old Lansdowne Road, Parkwood, Philippi East, Retreat, Strandfontein Road, Swartklip Road, Vrygrond, Wallacedene, Wesbank and Wynberg.
Fines issued in terms of the Integrated Waste By-law too continue to increase year-on-year, from 20 356 to 35 173, representing a 73% increase.
‘The increased successes are a feather in the cap of our staff who are out there, monitoring hotspots and catching suspects in the act. However, it is also indicative of persistent efforts to orchestrate unlawful land occupations. While some dumping is driven by people looking for shortcuts or simple ignorance to the availability of waste drop off sites, more and more incidents involve dropping large loads of rubble in pre-determined locations, which is then used to level ground so that new structures can be erected.
‘Illegal settlement has become a massive challenge in Cape Town, and no one wins. We hope that the review of the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act, which is currently under way, will better balance the rights of unlawful occupiers with the rights of law-abiding residents, communities and families waiting patiently for housing, but also hold to account those who organise, encourage or profit from unlawful land invasions,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
A tipper truck offloading rubble alongside informal structures
Illegal dumping in progress can be reported to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700.
Tips for potential reward can be submitted via the City’s 24-hour tip-off line on 0800 110 077.
Reports can also be submitted via the Safety and Security reporting feature on the City’s mobile app. The app is available for download in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store
Illegal dumping reports should include the incident details like time and location, and a description of the vehicle. Photographic evidence too can assist in tracking down and taking action against perpetrators.
FINES
- The fine for illegal dumping is R2 500
- The vehicle impoundment release fee is R8 700
- Should the same vehicle be impounded a second time, the release fee is R11 700, and R17 400 for a third offence
