City clamps down on vehicles illegally dumping

The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, says illegal dumping has become a huge problem in the City and affects many communities.

This follows reports that the number of vehicles caught illegally dumping across the metro increased in October.

Last month, City law enforcement officers reportedly impounded 36 vehicles used for illegal dumping. Smith says this is 4 times more than tha nthe number of impounds carried out in September.

In the most recent operation, Law Enforcement officers based in Area East on Friday impounded no less than eight vehicles used for illegal dumping.

“[Illegal dumping] has also become a headache for enforcement as culprits are seldom caught in the act, and not many residents call out their neighbours for the behaviour” said Smith

Smith added that dumping is not only a public and environmental health risk, but it also robs residents in informal communities of public open spaces.

“Areas that could be used for community gardens, recreational facilities, and social cohesion are instead turned into hotspots for crime and grime. That’s why I’m proud of our officials for taking on this challenge head-on”

In other law enforcement successes, LEAP officers confiscated two unlicensed firearms — one in Delft and one in Mitchells Plain — arresting one suspect in each case. They made 154 arrests overall and issued 6 502 notices.

Metro Police officers arrested 84 suspects, including 35 for driving under the influence, and issued 2 734 notices.

Traffic officers recorded 56 573 offences, including 36 657 speeding violations. They issued 19 916 fines, impounded 231 public transport vehicles, and executed 1 506 warrants of arrest.

Meanwhile, the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre logged 1 701 incidents during the week, including 86 assaults, 49 domestic violence cases, and 76 motor vehicle or pedestrian accidents.