Environmental crime alert: report illegal dumping at Sydenham Quarry

ENVIRONMENTAL justice organisation Groundwork is calling on citizens to report illegal dumping at Sydenham Quarry through the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment’s (DFFE) Environmental Crimes and Incidents hotline.

Rico Euripidou, chemicals coordinator at Groundwork, said they were concerned about the illegal dumping at the quarry.

“The illegal dumping of waste is a punishable criminal offence under our national and municipal laws. The practice is prohibited by legislation such as our National Environmental Management: Waste Act (NEMWA) and various municipal by-laws across the country. 

“An analysis of complaints received through the Environmental Crimes and Incidents hotline, relating to illegal dumping and waste, shows a steady increase in the number of reports - year on year, signifying an increasing awareness of these types of contraventions by members of the public and the willingness to report them through the Environmental Crimes and Incidents Hotline, but also worryingly an increase in the practice,” he added.

Euripidou said where waste contractors are found dumping waste at sites not authorised for the purpose of waste disposal, a complaint should be lodged with DFFE. 

“The DFFE would ensure that the matter was referred to the relevant institutions mandated to initiate enforcement interventions. In relation to the dumping of general waste at undesignated sites, the provincial environmental departments and relevant units in the different municipalities are primarily responsible for addressing this issue. 

“Individuals and businesses found guilty of illegal dumping can face significant penalties, including fines, imprisonment and clean-up costs, which varies by municipality and the magnitude of the offence. Enforcement is carried out by municipal environmental health practitioners and environmental management inspectors, often with community tip-offs being key to successful prosecutions,” he added.

He said the impact of illegal waste dumping was concerning and depended on the type of waste and the receiving environment.

“Generally illegal dumping contaminates soils, pollutes water, changes vegetation and ecosystem functionality, and poses land degradation – all of which impacts people’s health and the environment. 

“In South Africa illegal dumping is often associated with open waste burning which is a significant contributor to South Africa’s air pollution, affecting the health of millions of people, particularly in low-income communities. 

“If readers witness illegal dumping, they should be encouraged to report it to eThekwini’s Municipality's law enforcement or waste management department on 031 311 8804 or email DSW: [email protected].

“They should include the time and location of the offence, a description or picture of the offender, and the vehicle registration number if a vehicle was used.

“By reporting, residents can help enforce the law and prevent the significant health and environmental risks associated with open dumping,” Euripidou added.

The Environmental Crimes and Incidents Hotline is a public service for reporting illegal activities harming the environment.

The hotline is managed by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) for reporting issues like pollution, illegal dumping, and poaching, offering a 24/7 toll-free line and email for citizens to exercise their environmental rights. Hotline: 0800 205 005. Email: [email protected]

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