POLOKWANE – Residents of the city and operators of refuse removal businesses are up in arms about the municipality’s intention to require payment of fees for the dumping of garden and building refuse at the local authority’s landfill sites at Aganang and Weltevreden off the Silicon Road.

This follows after the municipality recently confronted users of the facilities with notices to the effect that fees will be charged for the use of the facilities with effect from October 1.

“This is not fair. We are rendering a service that the municipality has to provide and users are already paying for it,” an operator said and added that this new levy will inflate the operating costs of service providers while their clients are merely attempting to keep the city clean. It will also encourage illegal dumping.

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Municipal spokesperson Thipa Selala responded that no charges have yet been implemented at either the Weltevreden or Aganang landfill sites.

The municipality has, however, issued a public notice on September 1, indicating the intention to introduce disposal tariffs once all internal administrative and consultative processes are concluded.

“The introduction of tariffs follows extensive Integrated Development Plan (IDP) consultations, public participation processes and the review of sectoral policies, including the Rates and Tariff Policy, which invites community input on service-related charges.”

According to Selala, the municipality has absorbed significant operational costs in managing landfill sites for several years while allowing free disposal. This has led to financial strain and limited capacity for effective waste management.

“The proposed tariff framework is therefore aimed at ensuring the sustainability and efficiency of landfill operations while aligning with national waste management regulations that promote responsible and environmentally sound waste disposal,” he added.

Selala confirmed that the proposed tariffs have been benchmarked to remain reasonable and proportionate to the tonnage of waste processed, considering the high costs of maintenance, environmental protection and resource preservation.

“It is on this basis that the municipal council resolved to issue a notice to the public regarding the forthcoming implementation of waste disposal charges, as outlined in the approved Government Gazette No. 3682: Tariff Policy CR265/05/25, Schedule 3,” Selala concluded.