Just a few hours after the City cleared a stretch of Strandfontein beach of litter which had been illegally dumped there, the area was once again covered in dirt.
And in the light of a number of complaints about dumping at the cove along Lukannon Drive, Strandfontein Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association have called on residents to take ownership of their environment.
Strandfontein resident Eugene Fisher said since the removal of the skips which had been placed in Lukkannon Drive, Bayview, all kinds of waste could be found at the beach as well as the area around two nearby bridges.
“I agree illegal dumping is a huge crisis that the City of Cape Town is faced with but when waste bags with City of Cape Town printing are found in the cove, parking areas and along the beach, one is left to think that the City of Cape Town also has a hand to play in the contribution of this crisis. I have reported these solid waste issues and been told it takes 10 days’ turnaround time,” he said.
Bayview resident David Leetjer, people in their area had set up a WhatsApp group to report issues such as the illegal dumping at Camp Road, Lukkannon Drive and Nautilus Road.
“Residents don’t make use of the Mitchell’s Plain Solid Waste dump site even though it’s so close to us. People are dumping much more than they used to (and) the bridges and the roads are highly affected,” said Mr Leetjer.
He suggested that surveillance cameras be installed underneath the bridges and along the affected roads so that “at least we will have record of the dumping when it happens”.
Chairperson of the Strandfontein Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association, Mario Oostendurp said they were concerned abou the health and safety risks associated with the dumping.
“We’re concerned it is not enclosed as people dump in the night, in the dark as well as under the bridge close to the drive,” said Mr Oostendurp.
Mayoral committee member for water and waste, Xanthea Limberg said the City’s Solid Waste Department cleared the debris in the mentioned cove during the late afternoon of Sunday March 7 but by the following morning, Monday March 8, more rubbish had already been dumped there.
The area has since been cleared, she added, but there was no guarantee that more waste would be illegally dumped there.
“We need residents to please report those who dump illegally in their community so that guilty parties can face consequences that will make them think twice before dumping again,” she said.
Any person found to be dumping illegally is issued with a Section 56 written notice, which carries a fine of up to R5 000 and the dumper may have his or her vehicle impounded. Impounded vehicles are also subject to a release fee of R8 426 for the first impoundment, and this escalates thereafter.
The City budgets approximately R110 million to 120 million for clearing of illegal dumping hot spots each year, she said.
If anyone in the area has details of those who are responsible for dumping, you can pass this information on to the City by calling 021 400 6157 or emailing solidwaste.bylaw@capetown.gov.za Requests for clearing dumping can be submitted to the City’s call centre on 0860 103 089.
