The Gauteng Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) says it is working on a long-term intervention plan to address ongoing waste management challenges in Emfuleni Local Municipality, amid growing concerns over illegal dumping and escalating refuse collection costs.
Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Jacob Mamabolo has reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to working with stakeholders to resolve persistent waste management problems affecting communities in the Sedibeng District.
Mamabolo expressed concern over increasing expenditure on refuse collection and waste management despite continued illegal dumping across the municipality.
According to COGTA, Emfuleni Local Municipality spent more than R33 million on waste management between 2021 and 2026, with little visible improvement on the ground.
Mamabolo said it has continued to provide targeted support to the municipality through various interventions aimed at improving waste management systems.
In 2025, teams from the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development were deployed under the “Phakama Vaal” intervention programme to assist with clearing illegal dumping sites in Emfuleni. However, officials said the progress achieved was not sustained through the municipality’s own waste management systems.
“We are currently finalising consultations with national, provincial and municipal stakeholders as we prepare for a coordinated intervention in Emfuleni,” Mamabolo said.
The MEC said the provincial government’s approach is aligned with the Local Government Turnaround Strategy, which promotes cooperation between different spheres of government to address complex municipal challenges.
Mamabolo added that the province had deliberately moved away from assigning blame and was instead prioritising collaboration between national, provincial and local government structures.
“The challenges we face are complex and require the full cooperation of all three spheres of government,” he said.
Mamabolo and Gauteng MEC for Environment Ewan Botha are finalising consultations and engagements to strengthen interventions aimed at supporting Emfuleni Local Municipality.
