Minister acknowledges landfill concern
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday March 3, 2025 13:09
When responding to a question asked by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kgatleng West, Dr Unity Dow on Wednesday this week, Motshegwa said: ”These fires release smoke into the atmosphere, which significantly impacts the surrounding villages, including Pilane, Bokaa, Morwa, Rasesa, and Raserura.” Dow had asked the Minister whether he was aware of the health hazards posed by the landfill to residents of Pilane, Morwa, and Raserura. The MP also wanted to know what plans are in place to deal with the problem and whether the minister is aware that the facility is a private one as opposed to a public one, it would have long been closed; and why there are different standards for government and the private sector. Motshegwa said the ministry, through the Kgatleng District Council, continues to address the issue with its stakeholders including waste reclaimers. He said in the short term, the Kgatleng District Council is mobilising resources to compact and cover the waste starting the week of March 17, 2025. He added: “This intervention is expected to help prevent frequent firebreaks by ensuring that biomass is properly managed and does not ignite.” He explained that, initially, additional landfill cells were planned and funded to address the challenges at the Pilane landfill.
However, due to spatial constraints, it has since become necessary to identify a new site for the landfill. He pointed out that while the existing site will be rehabilitated, a new integrated waste management facility will be constructed at Dikwididi. “The new facility will be integrated in nature and will promote waste value chain as well as mitigating on potential environmental impacts,” he said. The minister pointed out that the envisaged facility will be integrated in nature whereby it is designed to manage solid waste in a way that minimises environmental impact, maximises resource recovery, and promotes public health.
Therefore, according to the minister, this means the facility will have key functional intermediate installations along the way promoting the waste hierarchy. He said key among these will be the construction of waste transfer stations at strategic places. Motshegwa also pointed out that the type of facility will promote waste value chain as well as mitigating on potential environmental impact. With that in plans, he said the ministry does not subscribe to any form of discrimination when it comes to the application of the law.
However, the ministry regretted the inconvenience caused to the residents of Pilane, Morwa, Rasesa, Raserura and indeed to Batswana at large. In addition, he said there are no different standards for government and private sector. The minister stressed that all entities are required to adhere to the same established standards and regulations. Motshegwa said it is on such basis that an integrated waste management facility has been proposed as an improvement to the current landfill.