MBABANE – Members of Parliament have warned that Eswatini should not be used as a dumping site for ozone-depleting substances.
This was stated during the adoption of the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs portfolio committee report on the Ozone Depleting Substances and Hydrofluorocarbon Regulations, 2025.
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Mafutseni MP Sabelo Mtetwa commended ministries for enacting laws and producing timely regulations. He noted that delays in regulations often weakened legislation and caused problems in court cases.
“The country should not be a dumping site. We cannot continue importing items without knowing how they will be used or disposed of,” said Mtetwa.
Lobamba MP Michael Masilela added that the regulations were an important step forward as they would govern the disposal of ozone-depleting substances from X-rays and other electronic devices. He explained that such items eventually expired, but the regulations would ensure that suppliers took responsibility for proper disposal.
“They will know how to dispose of these substances properly, instead of just selling us items without accountability,” said Masilela.
Sithobela MP Mancoba Sihlongonyane warned about the negative impacts of ozone-depleting substances, especially if incorrectly disposed of. He noted that in some countries, environmental damage had even led to farming losses.
LaMgabhi MP Sicelo Jele shared that he knew someone who made a living from informally selling ozone-depleting substances through home visits. He asked whether such individuals had been engaged, given the unemployment crisis, and whether space had been designated for safe disposal.
Ntondozi MP Peter Ngwenya pointed out that improper dumping was common, with some substances stored dangerously close to patients. He emphasised that the regulations would help control both imports and disposal.
Attorney General Sifiso Khumalo referred to an amendment in Section 9 (1) of the report, regarding sub-regulation (2).
In response, Mbabane East MP Welcome Dlamini, chairperson of the Ministry of Tourism’s portfolio committee, explained that disposal was addressed in Clause 26 of the regulations. He added that the aim was to ensure substances were returned to their countries of origin.
“As MPs have rightly stated, Eswatini should not be a dumping site. The aim of these regulations is to ensure substances are returned to where they came from. The Ministry of Health is also establishing a dumping site in Manzini, and we will explore ways of working with them on disposal,” said Dlamini.
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