VANDERBIJLPARK – Emfuleni Local Municipality allegedly spent over R45m on service providers to clear illegal dumps.

This is despite growing concerns of residents continuing to live among growing piles of uncollected waste and mushrooming dumping sites.

DA’s mayoral candidate, Kingsol Chabalala, said: “The DA in Emfuleni notes with serious concern the revelation that over R45m has been paid to service providers to clear illegal dump sites while communities across Emfuleni continue to live among growing piles of uncollected waste.”

“This is not just unacceptable, it is a betrayal of residents who are forced to endure unsafe, unhygienic conditions despite millions of rand being spent in their name,” he added.

Chabalala said residents in areas across Emfuleni can see for themselves that dumping sites remain uncleared, refuse collection is inconsistent, and environmental health risks are escalating.

“The question must be asked: where did this money go, and what exactly was delivered? As the DA mayoral candidate, I want to be clear: this situation reflects a total collapse of oversight and governance.

Public funds are meant to serve the people, not disappear while communities are left in filth,” he said.

“Emfuleni residents deserve a government that delivers real services, values every rand of public money, and treats dignity as non-negotiable. The DA is committed to restoring accountability, fixing service delivery, and putting residents first,” he said.

Ster is waiting for comment from ELM.