The City of Tshwane has adopted a new sustainable waste management strategy for its 185 informal settlements, despite opposition parties’ concerns that the plan lacks a financial framework to ensure its successful implementation.

The strategy, adopted during a council meeting at Tshwane House, focuses on cleanliness, recycling, and composting.

Despite warnings from the DA and Freedom Front Plus that the strategy lacks a financial plan to support its implementation, the council has moved forward with the plan.

FF Plus councillor Deham Hamse highlighted fundamental flaws in the report, citing a lack of conditional funding and no provision for adjustments under Section 28 of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).

“Implementing the strategy in its current form may lead to irregular or fruitless expenditure,” he warned.

DA councillor Yvonne Dzumba echoed similar concerns, stating that the strategy lacks a costing framework, funding details, and clear service standards or key performance indicators. 

“Tshwane cannot afford to approve an open-ended strategy without financial discipline,” she said.

She mentioned that informal settlements are struggling with severe inconsistencies in waste collection, rampant illegal dumping, hazardous infrastructure, and a lack of basic services, all of which pose significant threats to both human health and the environment.

ANC councillor Kgaugelo Phiri acknowledged the extensive efforts and collaboration that went into developing the strategy in partnership with a non-profit organisation called Asivikelani. 

He noted that despite current efforts to provide free waste services to informal settlements, challenges persist, including insufficient waste bags and poor road conditions.

He said the core goal of the strategy is to develop an inclusive, environmentally responsible, and economically sustainable waste management system tailored to the unique realities of informal settlements. 

“This involves shifting from a mere waste collection approach to a proactive, integrated strategy emphasising waste reduction, resource recovery, community participation, and environmental education,” he said.

EFF councillor Boitumelo Rasweswe reiterated that the goal of the strategy is to achieve sustainable waste collection in informal settlements and waste minimisation through recycling, composting, and other forms of circular economy.

Former MMC for Environment and Agriculture Management, Ziyanda Zwane, welcomed the strategy as a vital solution to the city’s escalating waste management issues. 

“We are pleased that the city is partnering with credible and experienced stakeholders to carry out this programme. The inclusion of major recyclers and a need to have mobile buy-bag centres is a great move,” he said.

He said the initiative will unlock economic opportunities, also pointing out that cost containment shouldn’t be an excuse for withholding essential services like refuse bag provision in informal settlements, as waste collection is a fundamental necessity.

“The living conditions in our hostels are dire, with waste piling up and posing a significant health risk,” Zwane said.

rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za

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