More than 80% of municipal dumps across the country appear to be flouting environmental laws and regulations. The Green Scorpions have opened more than 50 criminal cases, but it hasn't led to an increase in compliance.

Listen to this article 8 min Listen to this article 8 min The vast majority of South Africa's municipal landfill sites are not complying with waste and pollution control laws, despite a flurry of official warning notices and threats of criminal prosecution by the Green Scorpions environmental inspectorate.

This may not come as a big surprise to most readers, but the latest series of government inspections has nevertheless underlined the extent of the problem - suggesting that more than 80% of municipal dumps on a national basis appear to be flouting laws and regulations that aim to protect the environment, water resources and the health of people in the vicinity of these dumping sites.

According to the latest National Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Report, only 19% of municipal landfill sites inspected on a national basis are compliant. The worst performer was the Free State (0%), with only Gauteng and Western Cape coming anywhere close to compliance or partial compliance.

Frances Craigie, national head of the Environmental Management Inspectorate (Green Scorpions) said 357 municipal landfill sites had been monitored for compliance over the past five years.

"To date, a total of 52 criminal cases have been opened against municipalities for...