City of Cape Town spends nearly R400 MILLION annually cleaning up waste dumped illegally

John Maytham (standing in for Cape Talk's Lester Kiewit) chats to the City of Cape Town's Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith.

Listen to their conversation in the audio clip below:

"This is a big headache."

- JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security - City of Cape Town

Cape Town is grappling with an escalating illegal dumping crisis, with over 100 vehicles (mostly trucks) impounded in the past financial year alone. 

According to Smith, the City now spends nearly R400 million annually cleaning up waste dumped by contractors and rogue operators who opt for open fields over proper disposal. 

"...that figure may even be a little higher by now - but it's an enormously wasteful endeavour."

- JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security - City of Cape Town

"Sometimes the stuff being dumped is stuff that people have paid other contractors or the bakkie brigades to remove where you are paying somebody to remove it from a yard and instead of taking it to the waste disposal site, they are simply dumping it around the corner on your community's field... which I am sure would outrage the person paying for removal of that waste." 

- JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security - City of Cape Town

ALSO READ: WATCH: ‘Dirty Pig’ told to pick up his rubbish after illegal dumping 

He adds that despite increased enforcement, including 20,000 fines issued in the past year and hefty impoundment fees, the problem persists.

Smith says that the City has upped penalties with offenders facing a R2,500 fine, with vehicle impoundment fees starting at R8,700 - rising to R17,400 for repeat offences. 

ALSO READ: Illegal tyre dumping, burning an environmental and health disaster for SA - Redisa 

Residents are urged to assist by reporting dumpers in action via the City’s emergency number (021 480 7700) or submitting anonymous tips to the 24-hour tip-off line (0800 110 077). 

Scroll up to listen to the full conversation.