Lichtenburg Landfill Site Shows Persistent Waste Management Issues in North West Municipality

The Lichtenburg landfill site has become an informal waste disposal business where children and informal waste workers direct vehicles to dumping spots along a road. Residents report that refuse collection has become increasingly unreliable, leading to accumulated rubbish near the site. A South African flag is visible among the waste piles at this location.

Ditsobotla Local Municipality has experienced nine separate administrative interventions between 2008 and 2025, the highest number in South Africa’s democratic history. Each intervention aimed to restore political stability, repair finances, and restore basic services, yet residents and businesses continue facing similar problems as those persisting for years.