Durban - The Msunduzi Municipality has embarked on a radical ‘name & shame’ campaign to stop illegal dumping and clean up the capital city over the past few months.
The municipality posted a video on the its Facebook page of a man, who was driving a Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) vehicle, caught while he was illegally dumping items.
A man’s voice is heard in the video saying: “I just caught these guys here, off-loading, it's a government department. Please can we get the security companies up here as soon as possible. This is in the little dirt road opposite the dump.”
In the video, two men are seen standing outside a white double cab van. One of the men is seen reloading the back of the van with the items, which look like white boards, that they had apparently dumped illegally.
The municipality said it is unacceptable for illegal dumping to take place in the city, and urged businesses, government departments and residents to take action.
“Residents are encouraged to report illegal dumpers. The residents are advised to take photos of the illegal dumping, as well as the vehicle's number plate. These photos should be sent with the date, time, and location of the illegal dumping to 078 683 6427. Offenders who violate by-laws will be tracked down and dealt with accordingly by the By-law Management Unit... Together we can keep Msunduzi clean,” it said.
Provincial Cogta spokesperson Senzo Mzila said the department was aware of the footage circulating on social media platforms.
“The department will be investigating the circumstances around the incident,” he said.
Mzila said Cogta supports and respects the by-laws of municipalities.
“All the necessary steps will be taken and appropriate action will be taken by the department upon conclusion of the investigation,” he said.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Msunduzi mayor Mzimkhulu Thebolla unveiled and handed over a new compactor to the New England Road landfill site.
“Our intention is to prolong the lifespan of the landfill site, and this is one of our efforts to adhere to the compliance notice issued to us. The new compactor is more technologically advanced which guarantees its better performance,” said Thebolla.
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