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eThekwini councillors approve new waste management strategy
eThekwini councillors approve new waste management strategy

IOL News

time22-07-2025

  • Business
  • IOL News

eThekwini councillors approve new waste management strategy

eThekwini councillors approved the Cleansing and Solid Waste (CSW) Turnaround Strategy on Monday. This strategy is expected to be robust in waste collection in the municipality. Image: Bongani Mbatha/African News Agency (ANA) eThekwini councillors approved the Cleansing and Solid Waste (CSW) Turnaround Strategy on Monday. The strategy has been developed in alignment with National Treasury's Metro Trading Services Reform Framework (MTSRF). The waste management directorate will change from a traditional unit to a CSW business directorate with a single point of accountability. This will enable the executive director of the Waste Management Directorate to have the necessary responsibility and authority to improve its services and to be held accountable in this regard. As per the requirements by National Treasury, the strategy document is coupled with the Cleansing and Solid Waste Directorate's Institutional and Governance Roadmap and the Business and Investments Plan to improve all aspects of the solid waste business. According to the report, the institutional reforms focus on improved management and governance, while the Business and Investment Plan focuses on the Waste Business Development Plan. The Directorate is also required to develop a Performance Improvement Action Plan which is due in April 2026. The plan represents a critical opportunity not just to clean up the city, but to restore the dignity of service delivery that residents so rightly deserve, said Hlengiwe Shozi, DA Councillor at the council meeting. 'For far too long, eThekwini's waste management system has failed its people with broken promises, irregular collections, and communities forced to live among illegal dumping and overflowing bins. If this plan is to succeed, it must go beyond paper. It must be backed by action, urgency, and accountability,' she said. Shozi said although recycling is mentioned in the strategy, there are no clear timelines or measurable targets and she urged DSW to prioritise this to reduce the burden on landfill sites. 'Recycling is not only good for the planet — it's an economic opportunity. Let's stop treating it like an afterthought,' Shozi added. She also suggested that the poor quality of refuse bags being distributed be looked into. Patrick Pillay, leader of the Democratic Liberal Congress (DLC), said the monitoring and implementation of this strategy lies with the eThekwini committees. Pillay urged councillors in the committees to be proactive to ensure the strategy is a success story. 'Despite all the fancy words used to describe the strategy our residents need service delivery. They want to live in a clean environment,' he said. Sunitha Maharaj, Minority Front councillor, said that one of the biggest challenges for CSW has always been service delivery protests. 'What we do not support is any move to impose tariff increases on the public to keep the unit financially viable. We say this because of the lack of accountability and transparency by the municipality previously in terms of reporting progress challenges and corrective measures,' she said. Maharaj was concerned about the municipality having the capacity or if there is a political will to realise the reform goals. She said the Supply Chain Management must be held accountable for delays and must ensure that contract management is strengthened on awarded contracts to the most responsive tenderer. Nkosenhle Madlala, ANC eThekwini councillor, said waste management in the city has gone through some serious challenges including the mushrooming of informal settlements overnight that were not budgeted for in CSW. He said the strategy gives the municipality a chance to turn things around and restore confidence in local government. 'Let us commend the turnaround we have seen in terms of the cleanliness of our streets. We moved a long way from where we were to where we are now in terms of the cleanliness of our city but we are not masking any challenges. A lot still needs to be done and we are happy this strategy is here,' he said. Henricus van der Ryst, Freedom Front Plus councillor, said that National Treasury should look at informing people about waste management at grassroot level such as primary schools. He was concerned about the funding burden placed only on some paying residents. Saneli Zuma, ActionSA councillor, said there was a culture of negligence from both residents and businesses who continue to discard waste irresponsibly, as well as illegal dumping in and around township areas. 'Let us not allow this to become yet another strategy adopted in council that never sees the light of day," she said. [email protected]

Political parties debate eThekwini's R1. 75 billion waste management strategy
Political parties debate eThekwini's R1. 75 billion waste management strategy

IOL News

time15-07-2025

  • Business
  • IOL News

Political parties debate eThekwini's R1. 75 billion waste management strategy

eThekwini Municipality proposed R1.75 billion turnaround strategy for the Cleansing and Solid Waste unit, is aimed at addressing financial deficits and improving service delivery. Image: FILE Political parties in the eThekwini Municipality had mixed views on the Cleansing and Solid Waste (CSW) unit Turnaround Strategy, on Tuesday. The CSW unit updated the eThekwini Municipality Executive Committee (EXCO) on its strategy which is expected to cost approximately R1.75 billion over 10 years, with funding mobilised through reprioritisation, cost optimisation, and leveraging national reform-linked grants. The CSW reported that mounting financial deficits, declining infrastructure reliability, and growing service delivery backlogs have rendered the current solid waste business model unsustainable. The municipality stated that the turnaround strategy for the CSW was developed in alignment with the National Treasury's Metro Trading Services Reform (MTSR) framework. The deadline for the submission is 31 July 2025 with a special council meeting scheduled for Monday. The strategy identifies a clear trajectory for reform under the three-phase national model: stabilise, recover, and transform. The municipality has found that the current waste service value chain is highly linear, with over 98% of waste landfilled and minimal diversion. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ According to the municipality, the strategy introduces seven strategic focus areas (SFAs), each aligned with specific goals and causes of underperformance. One of them is the Single Point of Accountability (SPoMA) which will establish a dedicated, ringfenced utility structure for CSW with clear leadership and delegated authority. Councillor Nkosenhle Madlala, ANC Exco member, stated that the ANC caucus supported the strategy including the institutional and governance roadmap and the business and investment plan. 'We recognise that this strategy is a key step towards transforming the unit into a more efficient, financially sustainable, and environmentally responsible service – all under clear and accountable leadership,' he said. Madlala said that the ANC appreciates that the strategy aligns with the Treasury's MTSR, which aims to professionalise and strengthen municipal trading services. 'We note and support the development of the Performance Improvement Action Plan due in April 2026, which will help unlock much-needed funding through the Urban Settlements Development Grant. The ANC believes regular progress updates are essential. We support the decision to keep this matter as a standing item on the Committee's agenda to help address any gaps and monitor progress,' Madlala said. Madlala encouraged the CSW to continue working towards cleaner communities and improved service delivery. Andre Beetge, DA Exco member, said the DA supports the strategy that aligns with the prescriptive guidelines of National Treasury, by implication forcing compliance on the metro. 'We, however, remain in amused speculation on the political will to implement. This against the backdrop of recent Auditor General and Internal Audit reports, wherein the city's water and sanitation strategy was acknowledged, yet with implementation and outcome reporting being extremely vague and questionable,' Beetge said. He added that a strategy doesn't keep the streets clean, the gutters clear, the oceans uncontaminated, the landfills operational, or the compactors available. 'It is competent people willing to do what needs to be done without corruption, political interference or personal hindrance,' Beetge said.

Community leaders call for empathy towards homeless
Community leaders call for empathy towards homeless

The Citizen

time11-07-2025

  • The Citizen

Community leaders call for empathy towards homeless

WITH an escalating number of the homeless invading surrounding suburbs, residents share the pain and understanding, while on the other hand criminal activities and other unsavoury elements come as a result of the new 'residents'. One resident in Musgrave bemoaned, 'As a resident deeply invested in making our area safe, clean, and beautiful, I am concerned by the pressing issue of homelessness in Musgrave and its surroundings. While I understand that compassion and empathy are essential in addressing this complex problem, we must find a solution that benefits both the homeless and our community. The current situation is dire. Despite CSW's efforts to clean up the area, the homeless continue to return, causing havoc and negatively impacting our community. 'We have encouraged the public not to feed or give money to these individuals, as it is often used to fund their drug habits,' she claimed. 'The Sydenham Bridge pathways are a particular challenge. The homeless are using the area for urination and defecation, leaving behind a trail of filth and creating an eyesore.' Also read: 'Permanent solution needed to eThekwini homeless crisis' She added, 'The current cleaning schedule is insufficient, and I have witnessed firsthand the conditions on the bridge. The infestation of hundreds of cockroaches and rats is a serious health and safety concern to the public that requires immediate attention.' The community is reportedly working with the Ward councillor, Remona McKenzie, and committee member Dees Ahmed, and security companies, together with the CPF and Durban Metro, to relocate the homeless to shelters where they can receive attention. The efforts will soon focus on the robots at the corner of Overport Drive and Essenwood Road/St Thomas Road and other points. Councillor McKenzie shared, 'Homelessness is a complex issue that demands empathy, understanding, and effective intervention. While many individuals experiencing homelessness face unimaginable hardship, from unemployment to mental health struggles, there is a pressing need to address the rise in criminal activities that sometimes accompany this crisis, particularly copper theft, robbery, house break-ins and others. Also read: Glenwood groups urge mayor to act on increasing crime, homelessness 'These crimes not only damage essential infrastructure, causing blackouts, water outages, and financial loss, but they also heighten public fear and reduce trust between community members. Left unaddressed, such actions risk undermining efforts to support those in genuine need. 'While we have support systems, such as shelters, rehabilitation programmes, mental health resources, and employment initiatives, it's equally important to confront criminal behaviour that compromises the safety and security of our residents. Ignoring these issues in the name of compassion does a disservice to all: to the vulnerable in need of real help, and to the communities striving to protect what they've built.' She highlighted that there is a blame shift mentality regarding who should address this crisis, instead of a united approach, insisting that there is a need to move the homeless to the shelters where they will receive assistance, and also address the criminal activities that come with the clean-up operations. For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!

Durban's R1. 75 billion strategy to revolutionise solid waste management
Durban's R1. 75 billion strategy to revolutionise solid waste management

IOL News

time03-07-2025

  • Business
  • IOL News

Durban's R1. 75 billion strategy to revolutionise solid waste management

The eThekwini Municipality Cleansing and Solid Waste Unit (CSW) is devising a turnaround strategy in alignment with the National Treasury's Metro Trading Services Reform (MTSR) framework. Image: File The eThekwini Municipality's Cleansing and Solid Waste (CSW) unit reported that it was at a critical inflection point and is now developing a turnaround strategy for it. This strategy is expected to cost approximately R1.75 billion over 10 years, with funding mobilised through reprioritisation, cost optimisation, and leveraging national reform-linked grants, the municipality stated in a report to the eThekwini Municipality Executive Committee (EXCO) recently. The CSW reported that mounting financial deficits, declining infrastructure reliability, and growing service delivery backlogs have rendered the current solid waste business model unsustainable. The municipality stated that the turnaround strategy for the CSW was developed in alignment with the National Treasury's Metro Trading Services Reform (MTSR) framework. This is expected to transform CSW into a performance-driven, financially viable, and environmentally resilient municipal trading service with a single point of management accountability. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The strategy identifies a clear trajectory for reform under the three-phase national model: stabilise, recover, and transform. The municipality explained in the report that the initial phase targets operational recovery and institutional clarity, while subsequent phases focus on cost-efficiency, financial sustainability, circular economy readiness, and customer trust. The municipality has found that the current waste service value chain is highly linear, with over 98% of waste landfilled and minimal diversion. Other findings were: The CSW's average Operating Cost Coverage Ratio (OCCR) is 0.71, significantly below the sustainability threshold of 1.2. This indicates structural revenue shortfalls from high operational costs relative to tariffs. Landfill closures and aging fleet infrastructure are driving up the city's three major cost centres: overtime, maintenance, and fleet hire. Informal settlements and dense urban nodes remain underserviced, exacerbating illegal dumping and public health risks. Data fragmentation, weak asset management systems, and outdated tariff models impair cost recovery and operational optimisation. Institutional form lacks a single point of accountability, leading to fragmented leadership, diluted performance, poor consequence management, and misalignment of the shift system versus the standard of services. According to the municipality, the strategy introduces seven strategic focus areas (SFAs), each aligned with specific goals and causes of underperformance. They are: Single Point of Accountability (SPoMA) - Establish a dedicated, ringfenced utility structure for CSW with clear leadership and delegated authority. Fleet and logistics optimisation - Renew and optimise fleet through predictive maintenance. Route planning software and pooled vehicle reserves. Financial sustainability and ringfencing - Introduce activity-based costing, tariff reform, and revenue protection measures. Circular economy and diversion pathways - Expand recycling, establish MRFs, and integrate informal waste pickers to reduce landfill dependence. Data and information systems - Deploy an integrated waste information system to drive evidence-based decision-making. Environmental risk and compliance - Modernise landfill infrastructure and implement leachate and gas management to reduce environmental liabilities. Customer engagement and trust - Improve service transparency, complaint resolution, and community education to restore public confidence. The municipality has a 10-year implementation roadmap embedded within the strategy, comprising 34 phased projects mapped to the strategically focused areas. Stabilise (Years 1-2): Core service restoration, institutional reform, data infrastructure, and financial diagnostics. Recover (Years 3-6): Fleet replacement, tariff reform, separation-at-source expansion, and customer engagement rollout. Transform (Years 7-10): Circular economy scaling, full system digitisation, and integrated asset management. The municipality stated that the strategy marks a decisive shift toward a professionally managed, financially sustainable, and socially accountable solid waste utility. By executing this roadmap, the eThekwini CSW will address its service delivery backlogs, strengthen institutional capacity, and re-establish public trust-delivering universal, reliable, and future-ready waste services for all residents.

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