Illegal dumping costing Joburg R170 million annually

It costs the City of Johannesburg approximately R170-million per annum to clean up street littering and illegal dump sites.

The City of Johannesburg drive against illegal dumping of construction debris seemed to have started on an ironic note after the seizure of trucks that were caught dumping earth and few bricks dug out as part of laying foundation structure.

Desiree Ntshingila, spokesperson for the city’s waste management agency Pikitup, said yesterday that construction firms were largely responsible for the astronomical cost of illegal dumping.

“It costs the city approximately R170-million per annum to clean up street littering and illegal dump sites,” she said in a statement.

“That money could be far better utilised to build 7350 RDP houses, acquire 588 new ambulances or any number of other projects to bring the city up to world-class standards and provide basic services. Culprits in the construction industry frequently dump rubble illegally.”

Ntshingila said the city impounded vehicles used to illegally dump rubble across the city, in the hope of forcing companies to comply with the city’s bylaws.

Although Ntshingila singled out building firms as among the worst offenders, residents also came in for some harsh words.

“The inner city and communities are under siege from businesses and members of the community who are illegally dumping their waste or building rubble in open fields or by the side of the road or in dark alleys in the city,” she said.

“Not only is this practice a punishable offence, but this negligent behaviour creates health risks, and the spread of diseases in their areas is relatively high.”

Despite threats of punitive action, the city has a lacklustre track record of enforcing payment of fines for illegal dumping.

In a written reply to questions from DA councillor Makashule Gana, public safely committee member Sello Lemao indicated that the city “does not arrest persons for illegal dumping but issues admission of guilt fines and citations”.

But Lemao said only 109 of the 892 fines issued between July 2012 and July this year had been paid.

With fines starting at R1000 and increasing sharply, the city has the potential to pocket millions. Money generated from fines is collected by the Johannesburg Metro Police Department.

Spokesman Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said city mayor Parks Tau would call a media briefing next week to address the issue.

Meanwhile, Pikitup has roped in residents to help identify illegal dumpers in the hopes of improving matters.

The company asked residents to be on the lookout for dumpers and to record the date and time of the offence, location, the type of material dumped as well as a photograph of the dumping vehicle clearly showing the licence plates.