- Cape Town’s urban waste management unit issued 604 fines for illegal dumping in 2023, responding to 865 complaints and issuing 385 compliance notices
- Despite enforcement efforts, residents report rampant dumping on nearly every street corner, with some individuals being paid to dispose of waste improperly.
- Officials urge residents to report offenders with photographic evidence, while activists stress the need for education and personal responsibility to keep neighborhoods clean.
While the City is taking a firm stance against illegal dumping, with a total amount of R1,2 million in fines issued to perpetrators last year, it remains a problem in areas such as Lavender Hill.
According to the City, 865 illegal dumping complaints were attended to and 385 compliance notices were issued to offenders across the city last year.
The City of Cape Town’s urban waste management by-law enforcement unit issued 604 fines, amounting to a total value of R1 223 500.
In a statement on Wednesday 5 February, Mayco member for urban waste management Grant Twigg said cleaner and safer neighbourhoods can be created with community support.
“The City remains committed to maintaining a cleaner Cape Town, but success depends on strong partnerships between the enforcement unit and residents it serves,” he said.
“We want to correct the pattern in Cape Town where areas most affected by illegal dumping generally submit the fewest reports.”
Twigg urged residents to take photographs with the purpose of identifying offenders.
“Photographs of offenders dumping are needed.
“Pictures of illegal dumping, accompanied by identifiable details, such as vehicle registration numbers, can significantly aid in applying the law effectively and ensuring cleaner and healthier communities.”
In Lavender Hill, however, dumping sites allegedly “on every second street corner” remains a big issue.
Activist and community leader Clive Jacobs expressed his frustration to see garbage dumped in the area. “Illegal dumping in Lavender Hill is nauseating,” he said. “I was on my way to Lavender Hill clinic when I came across a man who dumped garbage next to the clinic.”
Jacobs shared how people are often paid to collect rubbish which they later dump in open areas. “The man told me that he was paid to clean someone’s yard, after that he went and dumped it next to the clinic.”
According to Jacobs, many still need to be educated when it comes to illegal dumping.
He added that residents also need to take responsibility.
“Instead of filling up their overflowing bins in black or blue bags, residents find it easier to dump and pay someone to empty their bins, for example on the corner of St Ambrose Circle,” said Jacobs. “Our community is sadly looking ugly because every open space, next to the main roads, is being used for illegal dumping.”
Jacobs fears health concerns: “Innocent and decent home owners are affected by this.”
To report illegal dumping in your community contact the City call centre on 0860 103 089.
