Illegal dumping is fast becoming a plague throughout Johannesburg, with many illegal dumpers operating lucrative businesses by collecting refuse, rubble and even toxic waste to dump in parks, roadside, open spaces and rivers.

As a result, the Department of Public Safety tabled a report to Council to increase impoundment for first time illegal dumping offenders. The report was approved in council and will soon be published for public comments.

The proposed amendment will see the impoundment fee rise from R 2 970 to R 10 000 for a first time offender, R 15 000 for a second offender and a hefty R 20 000 for a third time offender. The department also proposes that after the third offence, the vehicle used in any illegal dumping be forfeited to the state.

According to Cllr Michael Sun, MMC for Public Safety, City of Johannesburg, the current impound fee of R 2 970 does not serve as a serious deterrent for operators who charge up to R 2 000 per load.

He adds that while JMPD’s efforts such as the Anti-illegal Dumping Hotline and the Anti-illegal Dumping Undercover Unit are yielding positive results, there are still daily occurrences of illegal dumping across the city. The city currently receives daily reports of illegal dumping ranging from residents dumping trash outside their premises to shop owners disposing commercial refuse on non-collection days and industrial refuse being openly dumped.

“We need to hit the law breakers where it hurts most,” says Sun. “As the city, we must work together to ensure that such illegality are stopped.”