NMBM SAVES R5.8 MILLION ANNUALLY THROUGH WASTE MANAGEMENT FLEET INVESTMENT
Published: October 16, 2026<< BACK TO NEWS
Better planning and investment in the right tools of trade are beginning to pay off, with the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s Public Health: Waste Management Sub-directorate saving millions and improving its financial stability. Following the purchase of 25 refuse compactor trucks over the past three financial years as part of the fleet recapitalisation process, the Waste Management Sub-directorate is saving R5.8 million per financial year. While these savings reflect an improvement in the financial viability of the Sub-directorate, they will also go a long way towards supplementing the ongoing programme to purchase much-needed additional fleet.
Currently, the Municipality has 25 refuse compactor trucks, with additional fleet sourced from private operators. In the next financial year, the Sub-directorate plans to budget approximately R15 million for the purchase of an additional six refuse compactors.
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor, Councillor Babalwa Lobishe, said the commitment of the current administration was to see Nelson Mandela Bay taking its place as one of the cleanest municipalities in the country.
"We have been monitoring progress in the Public Health: Waste Management Sub-directorate. The investment they continue to make is starting to show results. The consistency and reliability of refuse collection have improved. This improvement will go a long way towards reducing illegal dumping as well.
"This investment is part of the broader Cleaning and Greening programme that we are implementing as the Metro, in response to the call of the National Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment,” said Executive Mayor Lobishe.
The medium- to long-term plan currently being implemented aims to increase the Municipality’s fleet to 50 refuse compactors. As refuse collection is a core municipal function, the Municipality is prioritising investment in fleet expansion to improve service efficiency, with additional vehicles planned for the next financial year.
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