Illegal dumping continues to demand millions of rands in interventions from the City of Cape Town.
On Thursday 1 June, Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis joined residents and officials from the Bridgetown area to highlight non-motorised transport initiatives and clean-up dumping hotspots, particularly one behind Cypress Primary School.
Ward 49 councillor Rashid Adams says this clean-up forms part of the mayor’s greater “Keep Cape Town Clean” campaign.
“We did cleansing of a section of a non-motorised walkway which runs along Loerie Road behind Cypress Primary School.
“This eventually leads onto the Langa Bridge,” he says.
Hill-Lewis has already joined clean-ups in Masiphumelele, Bishop Lavis, Kuils River and Lotus River as part of the campaign.
The City says clean-up sites are selected to highlight action needed at illegal dumping and litter hotspots.
“There is also an intention to continue visiting various locations across the metro and encourage a cleaner Cape Town,” says the City in response to People’s Post’s enquiry.
“Urban Waste Management Directorate staff conduct daily efforts to collect litter and waste. Specific clean-up operations under the mayor’s Keep Cape Town Clean campaign continue around the city.”
Adams says the idea for this clean-up was for residents to join the initiative.
“We had a number of residents from various parts of the area – The Women for Change ladies – that came to support us, along with staff from solid waste. We were also introduced to the new mascot that the City will be introducing to the city,” he says.
“I think it is important that we as a community realise the role we need to play to keep our city clean and our communities clean and if everyone pledges their support then I think we will have a better-looking area and the environment will be safer and cleaner to be living in, making it more conducive.”
For the 2023-’24 financial year, the City’s Urban Waste Management Directorate has a strong focus on increasing available landfill airspace through engineering interventions at landfills and building capacity for increased recycling, the City says.
The total capital budget is around R714 million. Toward interventions around dumping, R47 million will be spent on public employment programme cleansing projects, with an additional R65 million spent on seasonal cleansing programmes.
- The City has launched a 24-hour toll-free number (0800 1100 77) to report tip-offs about illegal dumping activity. Those convicted of illegal dumping could be fined up to R5 000, have their vehicle impounded, or face a two-year prison sentence.
- 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.
- To notify the City about dumping that needs to be cleared please call 0860 103 089.
