MIL Africa Engine

Government has called on the Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs) and their members to significantly increase the rate of waste diversion, especially of plastics and composite packaging. 

“The PROs and their members are well-positioned to drive this shift — not only through recycling targets, but by closing material loops and designing products with end-of-life in mind,” Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Bernice Swarts said on Wednesday.

South African cities are facing a significant landfill capacity challenge, with some expected to run out of landfill space within the next six years if drastic measures are not taken to significantly reduce waste generation and accelerate recycling efforts.

“Our country still sends over 60% of its waste to landfills, a figure we cannot afford if we are serious about achieving our climate and development goals.

“Through the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, we aim to significantly increase the rate of waste diversion, especially of plastics and composite packaging. But this requires bold action,” Swarts made these remarks during the department’s Waste Khoro Conference held in Bloemfontein, Free State.

She urged PROs to support Buy-Back Centres, increase materials recovery facilities (MRFs) across all provinces, invest in post-consumer recycling technologies, market development for secondary materials, and better integration of the informal and formal waste sectors.

“The department strongly encourages PROs and industry to actively integrate waste pickers into their value chains. 

“This includes offering fair compensation, formalised working conditions, access to equipment and protective gear, and training opportunities. Inclusive EPR is not a favour — it is an imperative for justice, efficiency, and long-term sustainability,” the Deputy Minister said.

She emphasised that waste pickers are not beneficiaries — they are central players in the waste economy. 

“For decades, they have recovered materials and diverted waste from landfills without formal recognition or support. We also expect producers and PROs to meet their responsibilities fully and with urgency. Waste picker integration is key.

“We urge all producers and PROs to embed education into their programmes — to help consumers understand separation-at-source, responsible disposal, and the value of recyclable materials. 

“Awareness drives should be localised, multilingual, and responsive to community dynamics. An informed public is not only a better participant in recycling schemes — it becomes a driving force for innovation and accountability,” Swarts said.

She reaffirmed that the government remains committed to enabling conditions that support innovation, transparency, and inclusive growth within the waste sector to recognise waste as a resource and waste as an input material to manufacturing other products and job creation in the process. 

The Waste Khoro Conference is an annual event organised and coordinated by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), attended by waste management officers from the three spheres of government, as well as representatives from the private sector.

They convene for three days to discuss key issues relating to waste management in South Africa, focusing on several waste management priorities, including addressing the growing crisis of landfill space in the country. –SAnews.gov.za

 

 

6 views

Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has activated and is implementing a comprehensive Drought Mitigation Plan as dam levels supplying the metro approach critical levels, following the declaration of a national disaster in the Eastern Cape.

In February 2026, the National Disaster Management Centre classified the drought affecting the province, including Nelson Mandela Bay, as a national disaster in terms of Section 23 of the Disaster Management Act (Act 57 of 2002).

The declaration underscores the severity of the water crisis and enables coordinated national support measures.

Against this backdrop, the combined dam levels supplying Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality are now on the brink of dropping below the critical 40% threshold.

According to the municipality, as of 16 March 2026, the metro’s combined dam levels stood at 40.29%, dangerously close to levels where water security becomes severely constrained.

Approximately 10% of total dam capacity is classified as dead storage and cannot be accessed through conventional abstraction systems.

This marks a sharp decline compared to the same period in 2025, when combined dam levels were at 73.85%.

The metro’s largest dam, Impofu Dam, has dropped from 55.86% last year to approximately 39%, a direct consequence of below average rainfall amidst the prolonged drought conditions plaguing the region.

Water consumption remains significantly above sustainable levels, further compounding the challenge.

“The city is currently consuming 373 million litres per day, approximately 93 million litres above the allocated limit, placing additional strain on already depleted water resources,” the municipality said.

Municipal officials warned that if consumption patterns are not urgently reduced, the city could face severe supply constraints less than three years after the devastating drought that nearly brought the metro to day zero.

In response, the municipality’s Drought Mitigation Plan outlines a series of emergency interventions aimed at stabilising supply while reducing consumption.

Key measures include upgrades to infrastructure to maximise available water from existing sources, improvements to pump stations, and expansion of the Nooitgedagt Water Treatment Works to reduce pressure on western dam systems.

The plan also includes the development of additional groundwater sources through strategic wellfields, implementing treated effluent reuse and alternative supply options, and accelerating pipeline rehabilitation and system upgrades to improve efficiency across the metro.

Efforts to improve system efficiency are being accelerated through pipeline rehabilitation and upgrades, while water conservation and demand management initiatives are being intensified.

These include pressure management, leak detection and repairs, bulk metering, and expanded public awareness campaigns to curb consumption.

The municipality has already invested more than R80 million in the current financial year to refurbish pipelines, rehabilitate pump stations, and appoint plumbing contractors to repair leaks and improve system performance.

Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor, Babalwa Lobishe, said the drought declaration reinforces the urgency of the situation and the need for collective action.

“Water security remains one of the most critical priorities for our metro. The investment we are making in infrastructure upgrades and drought mitigation interventions demonstrates the seriousness with which we are addressing this challenge. However, infrastructure alone will not resolve the crisis if water consumption remains this high,” Lobishe said.

She called on residents, businesses and institutions to drastically reduce water usage.

The mayor also called for collective action across society, including political parties and civil society, to work together with the municipality in responding to the water crisis.

“Water security is a shared responsibility. By adopting a water saving lifestyle and reducing unnecessary consumption, we can collectively protect this critical resource and ensure that Nelson Mandela Bay continues to function during this difficult period,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za

83 views

Officials of the Border Management Authority (BMA), the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) have intercepted a truck transporting illicit drugs and goods at the Oshoek port of entry.

BMA Commissioner, Dr Michael Masiapato, has commended the officials for the successful joint operation.

On Monday at approximately 20h00, a truck travelling from Eswatini into South Africa was intercepted at the Oshoek port of entry during an operation involving the BMA, SARS and SAPS.

Upon conducting a thorough search of the vehicle, officials discovered 50 bags of dagga concealed in the trailer, with a total weight of approximately 671.5 kilograms and an estimated street value of R2.8 million. In addition, 916 illicit tyres were found in the same consignment.

The driver of the truck fled the scene during the interception and is currently at large. Law enforcement authorities have launched a manhunt to apprehend the suspect.

“All confiscated items, including the dagga and illicit tyres, were registered with SAPS for evidentiary purposes, while SARS has seized the truck as part of ongoing investigations. A criminal case has been formally opened,” the BMA said.

Masiapato has reiterated the Port Management Committee’s commitment to strengthening border security and preventing the cross-border movement of illicit goods. 

He further emphasised the importance of inter-agency collaboration in disrupting criminal networks and safeguarding the country’s borders. 

The BMA said it will continue to work closely with its partners to intensify operations and ensure that those involved in criminal activities are brought to justice. – SAnews.gov.za

83 views

The eThekwini Municipality has intensified compliance inspections across the city to ensure that people living and working near hazardous operations remain safe and protected.

The municipality’s Fire Services Directorate and Environmental Health Division has ramped up enforcement through unannounced inspections, targeting high-risk facilities such as factories, major hazard installations and national key points.

The move comes amid growing concern over environmental and industrial risks, with authorities focusing on early intervention to prevent incidents before they impact residents.

The Fire Services Directorate, which operates a 24-hour emergency response service, is conducting proactive inspections to ensure compliance with fire safety regulations and emergency preparedness standards.

Its Emergency Planning Division is responsible for verifying that high-risk facilities maintain updated emergency response plans, clearly marked evacuation routes and functional fire safety equipment.

Fire Services Director Enock Mchunu said the inspections are aimed at identifying and addressing risks before they escalate.

“Community safety is our top priority. We are on the ground every day, proactively inspecting high-risk facilities, identifying unsafe conditions, and requiring immediate corrections before they pose a threat,” Mchunu said.

He warned that companies ignoring safety rules face severe penalties, including fines, shutdowns, or court orders where necessary.

The Environmental Health Division is conducting parallel inspections to ensure that environmental conditions do not pose risks to public health.

Guided by the National Health Act and Environmental Health Norms and Standards, practitioners follow a risk-based inspection model to target sectors such as high-risk industries, schools, food establishments, and public facilities, particularly those located near residential areas.

Inspection areas include chemical safety, water quality, pollution control, waste management, and monitoring of hazardous premises.

The municipality said common issues identified during inspections include outdated risk assessments, poor evacuation signage, expired fire equipment, and other hazardous conditions.

Depending on the severity of violations, officials may issue compliance notices, fines, prosecution directives, or order immediate closures.

Serious violations may lead to suspended permits or facility shutdowns.

Environmental Health Senior Manager Phumzile Vezi said compliance with safety and environmental regulations is not optional.

“Companies operating near communities must adopt strong safety standards and meet environmental laws. Our teams will continue to inspect, enforce, and re-inspect until risks are fully mitigated,” Vezi said.

The municipality said Fire Services and Environmental Health teams are working in a coordinated manner to ensure early detection of risks, rapid intervention, and continuous monitoring.

Follow-up inspections are scheduled based on risk levels, ranging from immediate revisits to intervals of 30, 60 and 90 days, and will continue until full compliance is achieved. – SAnews.gov.za
 

65 views

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has reaffirmed the District Development Model (DDM) as a central pillar of South Africa’s development strategy.

“The DDM acts as the primary operational framework to bridge the gap between planning and service delivery across all 44 districts and eight metropolitan areas,” Hlabisa said in a statement on Tuesday.

He stressed that the model’s core purpose is intergovernmental alignment and does not replace municipal authority.

Under the framework developed by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, municipalities retain their constitutional powers to plan and govern, while the district “One Plan” integrates existing plans from municipalities, provinces, and national departments.

The model aims to avoid duplication, reduce competition for resources and address fragmented infrastructure planning.

“The DDM does not substitute municipal planning but aligns different spheres of government around shared priorities. Chapter 3 of the Constitution obliges all spheres of government to coordinate and integrate plans and programmes,” Hlabisa said.

The DDM operationalises this constitutional principle by bringing together national departments, provinces and municipalities; aligning budgets and infrastructure investment, and spatial planning; and creating joint accountability for development outcomes.

Breaking the pattern of “operating in silos”

Hlabisa said fragmented planning has long undermined effective governance in South Africa, with departments and spheres of government often “operating in silos.”

Since its launch in 2019, the Minister said the DDM has been a game-changer, breaking the pattern and focusing intentionally on integrating planning, budgeting, and implementation.

“With this level of coordination and collaboration, the DDM contributes positively to the realisation of a capable and ethical developmental state,” he said.

The Minister added that the model also supports equity across districts and metros spaces by reducing uneven development between municipalities.

He noted that financially stronger metros and municipalities often have stronger planning capacity and revenue bases, whereas many rural municipalities struggle with limited technical expertise, weak infrastructure planning, and poor coordination with national departments.

“The DDM allows national and provincial governments to strategically channel resources into districts and metros where capacity is weaker, [thereby] improving local and national spatial equity,” Hlabisa said.

Addressing concerns about the model’s impact on municipal autonomy, Hlabisa said coordination is a constitutional requirement that does not threaten local governance.

While some stakeholders have argued that the DDM and the 2024 gazetted “DDM regulations’ are unconstitutional, the Minister said legal opinions obtained by CoGTA disagreed. 

“In fact, throughout the intergovernmental dispute processes, especially by both the Western Cape Provincial Government and the City of Cape Town, the intent and objective of the DDM were appreciated and welcomed as a practical approach towards ensuring improved intergovernmental coordination on long-term planning and implementation.

“The concerns raised were more on procedural and technical uncertainties relating to the institutionalisation and implementation of the DDM and how these were outlined in the ‘2024 DDM regulations’, especially on matters relating to the coordination of the DDM across the three spheres of government,” the Minister said.

He added that proposed amendments to the 2024 DDM regulations, currently open for public comment, aim to improve the framework, especially on the roles and responsibilities of intergovernmental stakeholders, and the relationship between “One Plans” and other legislated development plans.

These amendments are aligned with existing planning legislation, including the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA) and the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act of 2000, and the attainment of the objectives underpinning Cooperative Government as determined by Chapter 3 of the Constitution,” Hlabisa said.

Hlabisa said all 44 districts and eight metropolitan municipalities are deeply integrated into national priorities, including economic growth, housing delivery, transport systems, and climate resilience.

“These priorities will be best achieved not through working in isolation, but require coordinated action across all spheres of government, which is precisely what the DDM seeks to achieve,” the Minister said.

He reiterated that the model’s fundamental objective is to ensure that all spheres of government work together to deliver integrated development for the people of South Africa.

Looking ahead, Hlabisa said the outcomes of intergovernmental dispute processes and the proposed regulatory amendments reinforce the DDM as a practical mechanism, aligned with the National Development Plan (NDP), aimed at improving and sustaining intergovernmental coordination and cooperation across the broader government planning environment.

The Minister called for a comprehensive government and society approach to fully institutionalise the DDM nationwide, ensuring that every municipality works for the benefit of the people.

“It is only this game changer that we will be able to turn things around and together.” – SAnews.gov.za
 

0 views