Merafong City Adjusts Refuse Schedule Amid Service Delivery Challenges
- Karen Scheepers
- Apr 2
- 2 min read
The Merafong City Local Municipality has officially notified its residents of significant changes to the waste management schedule for the upcoming 2026 Easter period. In a public notice issued on 01 April 2026, signed by Municipal Manager Dumisani D. Mabuza, the local government confirmed that standard refuse collection will be suspended on Good Friday, 03 April 2026. This service is now rescheduled for the following week, Friday, 10 April 2026. Additionally, the municipality noted that on Monday, 06 April 2026, a weekend collection schedule will be implemented. Residents are encouraged to coordinate their household waste disposal accordingly to avoid accumulation.
Infrastructure and Environmental Concerns
While the municipality manages seasonal schedule shifts, it continues to face scrutiny over critical infrastructure failures. Recent reports from late March 2026 indicate ongoing issues with raw sewage entering the Wonderfonteinspruit river system. Local investigations have highlighted a broken pipeline that prevents waste from reaching the Khutsong treatment works, leading to environmental concerns for the downstream Potchefstroom drinking water supply. Furthermore, the presence of dolomite rock in the area has raised alarms among experts regarding the potential for sinkholes triggered by constant water and sewage leaks.
Financial Recovery and Strategic Planning
Merafong City is currently operating under a Financial Recovery Plan, often referred to as a "Rescue Phase." According to reports from the Gauteng Provincial Treasury in early 2026, the municipality has struggled with an "unfunded" budget status and low revenue collection rates, which hovered around 54% earlier this year. Despite these financial constraints, the Council approved an adjustment budget in February 2026 to prioritize essential projects.
These include:
Refurbishment of the Wedela and Khutsong Waste Water Treatment Works.
Upgrading of the Carletonville Traffic Department.
Installation of smart water and electricity meters to combat high distribution losses.
Expansion of the Rooipoort landfill site, pending environmental authorization.
Governance and Public Safety
The administrative leadership, headed by Mr. Mabuza and Executive Mayor Cllr Nozuko Best, has recently focused on "Re-imagining Merafong" through partnerships with the mining sector, specifically Harmony Gold. These engagements aim to align municipal Social and Labour Plans with local economic development. As the Easter weekend approaches, the Mayor has also issued a public plea for road safety and vigilance, urging travelers to exercise patience during the high-traffic holiday period. For direct queries regarding waste management, residents have been directed to contact the Solid Waste Manager, Mr. Itani Mavhutha.
The municipality’s ability to stabilize its service delivery remains a focal point for residents and provincial oversight bodies as they transition into the new 2026/2027 fiscal framework.
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