The City of Cape Town has launched a new 400-member Highway Cleaning Unit to keep the metro’s main transport routes and public spaces clean.

The teams have already begun work along major highways, arterial roads, and transport hubs across the city. The City has allocated R88 million for the initiative in the 2025/2026 financial year, creating close to 400 new jobs, including workers, team leaders, and senior foremen.

The unit will operate in shifts from Monday to Friday, covering key routes such as the N1, N2, M3, M5, and R300, as well as other major roads and busy transport hubs.

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says the new unit forms part of the City’s broader effort to build a cleaner, more liveable Cape Town.

“This is a new team that we have been working on for some months now and it will contribute significantly and positively towards a cleaner Cape Town, a city that is clean at all times, and a city of hope and pride.”

The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management, Alderman Grant Twigg, added that the Highway Cleaning Unit will also target illegal dumping hotspots, which continue to be a challenge across the metro.

“We encourage residents to work with us to tackle illegal dumping. Call our toll-free number to report dumping at any time, day or night and if we catch the culprits, you’ll receive a reward”

Residents can report illegal dumping through the City’s 24-hour toll-free number: 0800 110 077.