MASERU — The Office of the Ombudsman has raised serious concerns over the state of solid waste management in Lesotho, saying poor waste disposal practices are threatening public health, the environment, and human rights.
Speaking during the presentation, the Ombudsman Advocate Tlotliso Polaki said the investigation into solid waste management followed numerous complaints and reports published in media houses regarding environmental pollution and poor waste disposal practices in different districts.
The Ombudsman said investigations were conducted in all 10 districts, where officials engaged environmental inspectors, local communities, and other stakeholders to assess whether waste management systems were safe and effective.
According to the findings, she mentioned that waste management in Lesotho is poorly handled, with garbage being dumped in undesignated areas and waste often being burned openly, causing environmental pollution.
She further revealed that many dumping sites visited during the investigation lacked fencing and certification from the Ministry of Forestry and Environment. She stated that some dump sites were also found near residential areas and schools, posing health risks, especially to children.
The Ombudsman expressed particular concern over the Ts’osane dump site, stating that authorities had failed to implement previous recommendations to relocate the site despite ongoing concerns from surrounding communities.
She mentioned that the report also highlighted financial constraints as one of the major challenges affecting effective waste collection and disposal in the country adding that lack of public education on waste management was also identified as a problem, with communities relying heavily on government instead of actively participating in keeping their environments clean.
The Ombudsman noted that Lesotho still lacks a proper landfill site, saying the government has failed to establish a safe and modern waste disposal facility.
She said shortages of equipment, machinery, and suitable waste collection vehicles were also identified as key obstacles.
She indicated that the report further cited poor coordination between the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs and Police and Ministry of Environment and Forestry.
The Office of the Ombudsman also raised concern over the shortage of trained environmental officers and weak enforcement of waste management laws, saying offenders are rarely prosecuted for illegal dumping.
She said the report noted that the Ts’oeneng landfill receives toxic waste from factories and requires urgent upgrading to safely manage hazardous waste.
Meanwhile, Advocate Polaki said the Maseru City Council (MCC) said it continues to face financial challenges in managing waste collection services.
She mentioned that MCC indicated that establishing a proper waste management system requires significant funding.
She said plans are underway to implement improved waste management strategies, including the construction of a safer landfill site. An environmental impact assessment study has already been conducted for the proposed site.
The Office urged the government to urgently implement recommendations aimed at protecting the environment and safeguarding human rights.
The Ombudsman also encouraged greater investment in recycling and reuse initiatives, saying such projects could help address unemployment, particularly among young people.
She also discouraged burning waste, as the practice contributes to environmental pollution and health hazards.
The Office of the Ombudsman called on both the government and the public to take immediate and responsible action to improve waste management across the country.
The office of the Ombudsman is mandated to handle complaints from the public relating to human rights and poor service delivery, as well as to investigate conditions affecting communities across the country.
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