Cape Town has waged war on illegal waste disposal as officials find meat and medical waste dumped in open public spaces.
The city’s law enforcement department impounded 47 vehicles found in public garbage dumps between July 2021 and March 2022, while the number of vehicles impounded between July 2022 and March 2023 increased to 132 – up 181%.
Council member JB Smith, MMC for Safety and Security, said fines issued for illegal dumping had increased from 3,898 to 10,599.
He said the most dumped items include builders’ rubble and general waste, but he said officers have noticed an increase in unusual items such as medical and animal waste.
“Illegal dumping is more than an eyesore, it also presents health and safety risks to surrounding communities, and costs the city millions each year to clean up,” Smith said.
“It is practiced with great abandon, despite numerous pleas to make use of the facilities available. There is absolutely no justification for it, and the city condemns this kind of behaviour.”