An Eastern Cape social development department official was bust dumping garden refuse with a government vehicle on Friday and gave a false residential address after being fined R1,000 by the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality.
The official, whose name is being withheld as he could not be traced, works in the department’s special programme unit.
He was caught red-handed — and photographed — by town rangers hired to monitor illegal dumping in hotspots across the city.
The official later became aggressive towards two town rangers and insisted he was instructed by MEC Siphokazi Mani-Lusithi to clean up the Nangoza Jebe Community Hall ahead of an event.
The event, which was later cancelled, was meant to celebrate the renaming of a government building to that of Milase Jumartha Majola, mother of former Cricket SA chief executive Gerald Majola.
She died at the age of 89 in June and was renowned for her contribution to developing the community in New Brighton, especially among the youth and elderly.
Bay public health political head Lance Grootboom said it was disappointing that the man worked in a government department.
The man, Grootboom said, should have known better.
“It was garden waste that was dumped and our town rangers caught him in the act.”
He said a fine of R1,000 was issued.
“Further steps and charges will be taken against him irrespective of his position,” he said.
Grootboom said the metro would write to the department and request an internal investigation.
The metro has five town rangers serving about 276 000 households.
They are tasked with ensuring bylaws are not broken, which includes illegal dumping.
About 450 people were fined in August for illegal dumping.
“It is a dangerous job for them as they are not armed, but on this day we were lucky as there were two rangers.”
Grootboom said the metro was taking a strong stance against illegal dumping and was considering an increase in the fines.
“Illegal dumping won’t be tolerated — we will go to the magistrate’s court to get authorisation to have harsher fines,” he said.
“We are trying to appoint more town rangers and provide them with training.”
Social development department spokesperson Mzukisi Solani said an investigation would take place.
He said the department was unaware of the incident.
“I can assure you that the MEC or the department did not, and will never, instruct anyone to dump waste where it’s not supposed to be dumped or to be aggressive with anyone,” he said.
He said anyone who broke the law must take responsibility for their actions.
“As the matter is still an allegation, the department won’t be releasing any names [or contact details] until the law finds them guilty,” he said.
Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane was meant to attend the cancelled event on Friday.
His acting spokesperson, Mxolisi Spondo, said the event was cancelled due to other commitments.
“A new date for the event will be announced soon,” Spondo said.
HeraldLIVE