George’s Illegal Dumping Campaign a Resounding Success
In the photo from left is Cllr Marchell Kleynhans (MMC for Parks, Refuse and Environmental Services), Ald Jackie von Brandis (Executive Mayor of George), Rocky the Recycling Rooster (Garden Route District Municipality mascot), Jean Safers (Ward 1 Councillors and MMC for Human Settlements), Karin Stoffels (Project Coordinator: Street Cleansing), Anelisa Yani (Acting Manager: Cleansing and Environmental Health) and Gavin Esau (Project Coordinator- Community Services).
The George Municipality’s Illegal Dumping Awareness Campaign officially concluded on Wednesday, 26 February 2025, with great success. Executive Mayor Alderman Jackie von Brandis expressed appreciation to all who contributed to the month-long initiative aimed at combating illegal dumping across George. The campaign’s closing event took place in Blanco, where Mayor von Brandis personally thanked municipal workers, law enforcement officers, and community volunteers for their dedication.
Impressive Cleanup Results
During February, the Community Services Department collected over 20,000 bags of illegally dumped waste, totalling more than 115 cubic tons. This is equivalent to 385 tipper truckloads of refuse removed from open spaces and transported to the municipal dumping site. In total, tipper trucks moved 1,315 cubic meters of waste throughout the campaign.
“Thank you to everyone who took part in this effort. We began in Rosedale and Pacaltsdorp, and today we stand here reflecting on the incredible impact we have made together,” said Mayor von Brandis. Addressing Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) volunteers and municipal cleaning teams, she added: “Your hard work has been noticed. Residents have approached us to say they see the difference—George is looking cleaner, and that’s because of your dedication.”
Law Enforcement Crackdown on Dumping Offenders
In addition to cleanup efforts, municipal law enforcement officers issued 56 fines for illegal dumping in February, amounting to R56,000 in penalties. Mayor von Brandis commended the law enforcement team for their efforts in holding offenders accountable. “We’ve seen a significant increase in fines issued this month. People are beginning to understand that illegal dumping has consequences. If you dump illegally, we will hold you responsible,” she said.
Community Education and Awareness
The Environmental Services team conducted educational campaigns throughout February, informing residents about the dangers of illegal dumping and its health risks. “Thank you to everyone involved in educating the community. We must change mindsets—illegal dumping is not acceptable, and we need to protect our environment for future generations,” said Mayor von Brandis.
A special word of gratitude was also extended to the Garden Route District Municipality for providing their mascot, Rocky the Recycling Rooster, to assist in awareness efforts. Rocky visited key illegal dumping hotspots, engaging children and residents in discussions about proper waste disposal and recycling.
Ongoing Commitment to a Cleaner George
MMC for Parks, Refuse, and Environmental Services, Councillor Marcell Kleynhans, urged residents to maintain the momentum even after the campaign’s conclusion. “Keeping George clean is a shared responsibility. We encourage all citizens to continue looking after their neighbourhoods. This campaign may have ended, but our efforts to combat illegal dumping will continue,” he said.
Report Illegal Dumping
Residents are urged to report illegal dumping:
📞 For site clearance, contact the Community Services Directorate at 044 802 2900.
📞 For law enforcement action, call 044 801 6350 or email sprins@george.gov.za.
Together, we can keep George clean and waste-free!
