20 March 2025

The ANC Study Group on Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is alarmed and greatly concerned about the non-compliance of 60% of landfills in South Africa. According to the department, out of 544 landfill sites, only 16% (25 sites) were compliant; 24% (37 sites) were partially compliant, and 60% (92 sites) were non-compliant. The report further states that most sites operate as dumping sites without access control, and there is insufficient equipment to operate the sites. 

The ANC wishes to categorically state that, waste management is a fundamental service delivery imperative supported by a vast legislative framework, born out of section 24 of the Constitution, which states that:

“Everyone has a right to an environment that is not harmful to health and well-being and the right for the environment to be protected for the benefit of current and future generations.”

It is against this background and principle that we are appalled by the reckless manner in which these landfills have been run by local municipalities. 44% of them don’t have access control, waste is covered and compacted at only 33% of them, Internal audits are conducted at 29% of them and external audits are conducted at only 23% of the landfills. This alone gives an indication that there is some negligence when it comes to managing our landfills.

We remain concerned about the reduction in inspection over the years that the department is highlighting, and we believe that this has significantly contributed to the deteriorating state in which our landfills operate today. 

It is our considered view that waste management is critical to our sustainable development and upholding a well maintained green and blue economy which ensures the safety of our people and reduces susceptibility to illness and diseases. Waste management has the potential to play a vital role in the economic upliftment of many unemployed people in our country. 

We implore the department to consider the following going forward:

• Enforcement of stricter penalties on non-compliant landfills.

• Working with SALGA municipalities must be assisted to develop Integrated Waste Management Plans (IWMPs) and bylaws. 

• Put in place a mediation and mitigation process to deal with the political instability in councils hindering service delivery.

• Propose to parliament an implementation plan to deal with the backlog of basic waste services. 

• Foster active and responsible citizenry through continuous communication and initiatives between municipalities and the communities. 

In line with government’s call to embrace and foster public-private partnerships (PPPs), the department must foster strategic relationships with other government departments such as Small Business Development and the department of Trade, Industry & Competition in order to unlock the various opportunities for business and employment creation in the waste management space. 

Waste Management must be better protected and regulated so as to ensure that people are able to sustain themselves by leveraging off the various opportunities that exists in areas such as the paper, plastic, metals, tyres, ash, and oils waste management streams. 

Moreover, the department must look into the introduction of more technology driven forms of conducting waste management, such as making use of automated sorting systems, digital waste management tools and Solar-Powered Trash Compactors amongst others. 

Issued by the Whip of the ANC Study Group on Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Cde Ronalda Nalumango

For enquiries, please contact:

Cde: Hlengiwe Hadebe

Media Liaison Officer

+27 64 147 3276