City in the dock: pressure mounts over Diep River neglect

The Freedom Front Plus has criticised the City of Cape Town for what it describes as a sustained failure to prevent illegal dumping along the Diep River near Dunoon. The party argues that waste accumulation is undermining water quality, damaging biodiversity, and weakening the river’s ability to manage flooding. It also claims that repeated complaints have produced little response, despite occasional enforcement actions such as the impounding of trucks.

The criticism extends to allegations that dumping may be organised, pointing to patterns that suggest possible coordination among offenders. According to the party, the absence of consistent enforcement has allowed the problem to persist and, in some areas, intensify. This, it argues, reflects broader weaknesses in monitoring and deterrence in parts of the city’s waste management system.

The party has called for stricter measures, including higher fines, the blacklisting of offenders, increased patrols, and incentives for reporting illegal activity. It also emphasises the need for more affordable legal waste disposal options. The condition of the river is seen as particularly significant given its role in the rehabilitation of the Milnerton Lagoon, with delays in addressing pollution risks likely to compound longer-term environmental damage.