An illegal dumper who is caught for the first time, might have to fork out R10 000 to get his vehicle back from the City of Johannesburg (CoJ).
According to the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Public Safety, councillor Michael Sun, the Department of Public Safety tabled a report to Council to increase impoundment fees. The proposed increase is from R2 970 to R10 000 for first-time offenders, R15 000 for a second-time offender and a hefty R20 000 for a third-time offender.
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In terms of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 and the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act 56 of 2003, the Department tabled the report to amend the charges. The Department also proposed that after the third offence, the vehicle used in any illegal dumping will be forfeited to the state.
The report was approved in council and will be published for public comment.
“Illegal dumping is fast becoming a plague throughout the City of Johannesburg. Many illegal dumpers operate lucrative businesses by collecting refuse, rubble and even toxic waste to dump in parks, at roadsides, in open spaces and in rivers. While the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department’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,” MMC Sun, said.
He also mentioned that, in the month of January, eight trucks were impounded for offences relating to illegal dumping. “We are receiving daily reports of illegal dumping ranging from residents dumping trash outside their premises to shop-owners disposing of commercial refuse on non-collection days, and industrial refuse being dumped openly.
We need to hit the law-breakers where it hurts most. Currently the impound fee is R2 970, which does not serve as a serious deterrent for operators who frequently charge up to R2 000 per load,” he said.
He stated that the City’s departments will work together to ensure that such illegal activities are stopped, and urged residents to support them by reporting these unlawful activities to 082 719 1361.
