10 February 2005 Press Release City urges Public to refrain from Dumping and Littering The City of Johannesburg's Environmental Health Unit urges all members of the public to refrain from illegal dumping and littering. This announcement comes after a clampdown in which 81 fines, ranging between R300 and R1000 were issued over the festive season, in terms of the City Council's Public Health By-laws. While drastic measures to enforce these by-laws continue, the City would like to reiterate that it is illegal to dump waste on any vacant property, public place or pavement. Property owners are requested to keep any form of waste on their property until the date of its removal by themselves, service providers or contractors to a legal dumping site. "Just as people keep their personal properties clean, we at the City would like to ensure that the surrounding environment is clean, tidy and sanitary." Said Mr Nic Van Deventer, Assistant Director for the City's Environmental Health Unit. In cases where too much waste has been generated at a property, like in time of renovating, the owners can obtain bulk waste containers at a fee from a service provider in which to dispatch waste. The container may be positioned on pavements so that it does not obstruct traffic or pedestrian movement or create a hazard. The fines issued so far demonstrate that the City is serious in this regard. The laws will be enforced to ensure that this unacceptable behaviour ceases. The City will show no remorse to offenders and the ZERO TOLERANCE rule will be applied. The City has taken this endeavour upon itself for the benefit of the community and to strive towards making the City a WORLD CLASS AFRICAN CITY. This can only be achieved by ensuring amongst others a healthy and clean environment, says Mr Van Deventer. Citizens are requested to assist the Council in creating a healthy and clean environment by reporting offenders to Environmental Health Officers on the following numbers: Region -- Telephone 1 & 2 (011) 237 8002 3 (011) 881 6458 4 (011) 474 6703/4/5/6 5 (011) 761 0217 6 (011) 986 0169/0170 7 (011) 531 5564/6488 8 (011) 376 8522 9 (011) 681 8060/8082 10 (011) 933 2422 11 (011) 213 0019/0137 Joburg Call Centre (011) 375 5555 When reporting, as much detail as possible should be given. We rely on you to report the offenders to us. Please help us to help you. For further Information contact: Nic van Deventer Assistant Director: Environmental Health Tel: (011) 407 6796 Cell: 082 559 3763 Issued on behalf of the City of Johannesburg Environmental Health Unit by: Siphokazi Phillip Communications Officer Tel: (011) 407 6477 Fax: (011) 403 1616 Cell: 073 255 5174 Nthatisi Modingoane Media Liaison Officer CITY OF JOHANNESBURG Tel: (011) 407 7354 Fax: 403 3494 Cell: 082 467 9228 E-mail: nthatisem@joburg.org.za For more information about this wonderful City of ours, please visit our website : www.joburg.org.za