Durban - In another step forward to improving service delivery to its areas with the purchase of new equipment, the mayor, Chris Pappas, said recently, “The uMngeni Municipality has taken delivery of a brand new R7.1m landfill site compactor.”
“This machine will assist with waste management and increase the compliance of the landfill site. This is a big investment for the small municipality and shows the new administration's commitment to getting the basics right.
“This latest piece of equipment, fondly named Nkunzimalanga, is the next in line of a number of recent additions to the municipal fleet, which includes R11m worth of machines. A TLB, pedestrian compactor, and a refuse truck have all been purchased in order to improve waste management and basic service delivery,” said Pappas.
It was reported in the media earlier this year that uMngeni Municipality has allocated R10m in the 2022/23 draft budget for the management of the Curry’s Post landfill site.
The funds, it was said, will also go towards fixing the fence, weighbridge, installation of a prepaid system, lining and fencing of ponds, renovating the existing weighbridge as well as addressing other issues where the landfill was found not to be in compliance with the regulations.
Last year, said the media report, the KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs issued a warning letter to uMngeni detailing areas of non-compliances at the dump site.
The municipality was told to address these urgently. Last month, a team from the department conducted another site inspection and observed 13 critical non-compliance issues, which led to uMngeni being issued with a notice of intent.
The report on the landfill site with a recommendation to outsource management of the facility was presented to uMngeni’s council last week, said the report.