Officials caught in the act

VIDEO: USING BRANDED GOVT VEHICLE TO CARRY OUT ILLEGAL DUMPING

Municipal spokesperson says opening of landfill delayed.

Two people in a department of cooperative governance and traditional affairs branded vehicle were caught dumping at an illegal dumping site on Old Howick Road on Wednesday morning.

A video posted on Msunduzi municipality’s Facebook page shows two men offloading what looks like building materials at the site that had a “No Dumping” sign. The person who took the video said he was driving past when he noticed two people illegally dumping on the side of the road.

“It’s ridiculous that they were using a government vehicle to dump in an illegal area, and during working hours. It’s so frustrating to see so much lawlessness in Pietermaritzburg and it’s more frustrating seeing it being done by government workers,” said the person who took the video and pictures.

Msunduzi municipality has been posting videos and pictures of those found dumping illegally on municipal properties as part of its name and shame drive.

Municipal spokesperson Madeleine Jackson said the department confirmed the two men were their officials and they were attending to the matter.

Jackson said illegal dumping in the municipality was rife but under control.

Asked if there were any other interventions they were taking besides naming and shaming those caught illegally dumping, Jackson said: “The imposition of fines and impounding of vehicles. Culprits are also made to clean up the area where they are seen dumping illegally.”

A version of this story was posted on The Witness Facebook page and many people applauded the man who took the video and asked for action to be taken against the two officials.

One person commented that people were dumping illegally because they were not being allowed to enter the landfill site on account of the municipal workers’ protest.

Thinovonga Masarirambi said he had a loaded truck ready for offloading at the landfill site at 4pm on Tuesday but he was chased away yesterday because of the municipal workers’ protest.

However, Jackson said there were delays in opening the landfill site due to the breakdown of a backup generator.

Department spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila said they were concerned about the footage and would investigate the circumstances surrounding it.

“The department will also ensure appropriate actions are taken against the wrongdoers,” said Mzila.