Lesufi expected to tackle illegal dumping when he delivers SOPA

A dumping site.

Gauteng MEC for Environment, Ewan Botha, says he expects Premier Panyaza Lesufi to highlight plans to tackle illegal dumping in the province, which contributes significantly to pollution.

Botha was speaking on the red carpet ahead of Monday’s State of the Province Address at Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg.

Lesufi will use the address to outline the provincial government’s plans and provide an update on the progress of key programmes under the 7th Administration.

Botha says even though they have made progress, more still needs to be done.

“We’ve also done very well with ensuring that we start taking waste and turning it into an actual business. So, we’re looking at elements of compliance and enforcement, but again, you know, that job creation aspect through the demand of waste. So, look, it’s a process that we’ve just really started now in the last eight months. Obviously, waste management is a municipal competency. Where it becomes my problem is when people start to dump it illegally, right, because that’s now pollution and that’s now an environmental issue,” says Botha.

Guests arriving for the #GPSOPA2026 where Premier Panyaza @Lesufi will deliver the 2026 State of the Province Address. #GrowingGautengTogether pic.twitter.com/Kj4kCLEJIL

— Gauteng Provincial Gov (@GautengProvince) February 23, 2026