New contract to restore Empangeni landfill site

Once dubbed ‘the best dumpsite in the province’, a fire in 2024 set the King Cetshwayo Regional Landfill Site back.

However, authorities have vowed to restore the site to its former glory following an oversight visit in Empangeni on Friday.

Since 2022, the King Cetshwayo District Municipality (KCDM) landfill site was only one of 10 audited in KZN that met the national standards.

Following a fire in June last year, which cost the municipality almost R6-million, quality at the solid waste disposal facility deteriorated.

District municipal manager (MM) Philani Sibiya said recent mismanagement of the site nearly cost the district its clean audit. This led to the contract cancellation of the former service provider.

The MM said processes are in advanced stages to hire qualified environmental and waste management surveyors.

“We were advised that the landfill site can’t be managed by civil engineers but rather by environmentalists,” said Sibiya.

Welcoming the new contractor, KCDM Mayor Sikhumbuzo Dlamini emphasised that waste management is not an easy task, but believes they are on the right track.

With experience in waste management beyond the region, DCWM Landfill Services director Mandla Mayise said his company could restore the site to its former glory.

“Things such as compliance will be our core priority, and to prevent the recurrence of fires, we will ensure the site is properly managed daily,” said Mayise.

Also in attendance was Happy Khambule, deputy director for environmental management services from the KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs.

Khambule commended the district for ensuring environmental management issues are taken seriously.