The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, Barbara Creecy launched the R44.5 million worth of national waste collection and landfill management fleet on 23 May 2022 at Mulenzhe village, Collins Chabane Local Municipality, Vhembe District Municipality.

This national waste management intervention reportedly seeks to address waste collection issues in less privileged and un-serviced areas, illegal dumping, and landfill operations in selected municipalities across all provinces.

Beginning the intervention, the minister handed over the waste collection and landfill management fleet also known as the Yellow Fleet to Collins Chabane Local Municipality (1x waste compactor truck and 1x skip loader truck) and Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality (1x waste compactor truck and 1x TLB).

“Due to insufficient budgets, most local municipalities are facing serious challenges with waste collection services and as a result, some of the residents and businesses dump waste in open spaces resulting in illegal dumps. Waste disposal facilities in most municipalities are also experiencing serious non-compliance as waste is not properly managed due to a lack of fleet and equipment,” Creecy said.

“In an attempt to assist the municipalities, the department 2018/19 engaged with COGTA and National Treasury to enable municipalities to procure waste collection and landfill operation vehicles through the municipal infrastructure grant (MIG),” Creecy added.

Minister Creecy is also set to partake in a Good Green Deeds clean-up campaign as part of her visit to Collins Chabane Local Municipality.

The Mayors of Collins Chabane, Cllr Moses Maluleke, and Ba-Phalaborwa, Cllr Merriam Malatji, and local municipalities are expected to join the minister during the launch, handover of the fleet, and clean-up campaign.