Bin it or face a fine says the City of Cape Town. This is because the Urban Waste Management Directorate’s Solid Waste By-law Enforcement Unit will this year increase its numbers, to allow for more patrols and compliance inspections at businesses. The unit is the last line of defence against illegal dumping and littering.

Illegal dumping and littering targetted

The City has thanked the residents who have been hard at work cleaning up their communities through organised clean-ups. Illegal dumping in the City of Cape Town continues to be an enduring challenge. Currently, there are more than 2 700 known dumping hotspots, i.e. vacant land where there is frequent dumping. Dumping and littering are by no means limited to these hotspots.

Residents have a role to play – Bin it or face a fine

Considering the size of the city’s population, it becomes clear that residents have the biggest part to play in addressing illegal dumping and littering. The City is doing its best to tackle this issue with 14 by-law enforcement officers tasked with patrolling these areas, as well as performing compliance inspections at businesses to ensure appropriate waste management plans are in place.

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This will increase to 19 with the planned appointment of five new inspectors. A regional coordinator position has also been created that will help better optimise limited resources to tackle this enormous problem.

Additional by-law enforcement officers

The Solid Waste By-law Enforcement unit has reported impressive results between August 2022 and January 2023, 936 fines to the value of R1 825 600 have been issued for illegal dumping, and 298 fines to the value of R133 500 were issued for littering.

Many fines have been issued

In addition, the unit issued 1 146 notices to appear in court.

The Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management, Alderman Grant Twigg says: ‘There are simply not yet enough officers to keep eyes on known dumping hotspots so that perpetrators can be caught in the act. Fines can be issued, and we can start turning the tide. I call on residents to help act as our eyes and ears. I ask you to take photos of illegal dumping in progress so we can fine people who dump and make them think twice before putting our communities’ health at risk again,’ said

He added, ‘The communities that play an active role in the fight against crime and work with Law Enforcement services do see improvements in the amount of illegal dumping.”

Bin it or face a fine

The City has launched a 24-hour toll-free number to report tip-offs about illegal dumping activity.  The number is 0800 110077. Those convicted of illegal dumping could be fined up to R5 000. They could also have their vehicle impounded, or face a 2-year prison sentence.

Rewards offered

In addition, for every report that leads to a fine and conviction, the City is offering a reward from R1 000 up to R5 000, depending on the offence.

Read more about Urban Waste Management

To notify the City about dumping that needs to be cleared please call 0860 103 089.

COMPILED BY: Media Office, City of Cape Town