Buffelsdraai landfill site to reopen

The Buffelsdraai Landfill Site will be reopened after one year and eight months.

eThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba will, on March 13, address the community of Ward 59, regarding the planned reopening of the Buffelsdraai Landfill Site. This follows extensive rehabilitation and safety improvement projects undertaken at the site after it was temporarily closed in 2023.

The Buffelsdraai Landfill site in Verulam, north of Durban, was temporarily closed in July 2023 after it was looted and torched following a violent confrontation between waste pickers and security guards. This led to the death of one person and injuries to both the waste pickers and security guards. 

Ward 59 includes Osindisweni, Zwelisha and other neighbouring areas in Verulam. The landfill site is set to reopen in two phases, commencing on  April 1, for garden refuse, builders’ rubble, and sand cover material, said  Acting Senior Manager: Media Relations Ms Nondumiso Mathomane. The second phase will be planned for complete opening on May 1, for all other general waste which includes domestic waste.  

“The city has worked diligently to implement robust measures to prevent incidents occurring at the site while also enhancing security measures to prevent unauthorised access,” said Ms Mathomane. “Waste pickers have also been capacitated as part of the waste picker integration guidelines.

The city further reminds the public that the disposal of condemned food and counterfeit goods is still prohibited at all the city’s landfill sites. Customers are encouraged to make alternative arrangements with other available private facilities for such a disposal.