MATSAPHA – The E52 million Matsapha Healthcare Risk Waste Treatment and Disposal Facility is now fully operational and ready to receive healthcare waste from health facilities across the country following its official handover to the Ministry of Health and Matsapha Town Council yesterday.
The facility, which was commissioned by Prime Minister Russell Dlamini in March 2026, was formally handed over by the National Emergency Response Council on HIV and AIDS (NERCHA) after the successful completion of the final commissioning and performance testing of its incinerator.
According to the official handover remarks delivered yesterday, the final commissioning and performance testing were completed by Macrotec on October 30, 2026, with a Site Completion Certificate subsequently issued.
The handover marks the conclusion of the investment aimed at improving the management of healthcare risk waste, protecting public health and safeguarding the environment.
NERCHA confirmed that the facility’s equipment was fully operational and ready for immediate use.
The handover also followed the completion of a pre-handover inspection and operator training for the V500 Dry Plant on October 30.
It was reported that the facility operators were already capable of independently operating the plant, an indication that the training had prepared them to take responsibility for its operations.
As part of ensuring that the facility functions effectively, three healthcare waste management trucks have also been delivered to the Ministry of Health.
The trucks are intended to facilitate the safe transportation of healthcare waste from health facilities across the country to the Matsapha treatment facility.
During the handover, NERCHA also presented the Ministry of Health and Matsapha Town Council with the keys to the facility and a file containing essential authorisation, compliance and operational documents.
These include the Permit to Occupy issued under the Building Act, 1968, the Fire Safety Certificate issued in terms of the Fire Safety Precautions Act, 1968, as well as the Site Completion Certificate and the owner’s manual for the incinerator plant.
Furthermore, NERCHA disclosed that a three-year Commercial Consumer Licence for petroleum products had been secured. The licence is valid until March 2029.
However, the future operators are expected to finalise the necessary fuel supply arrangements with the preferred vendor to ensure the facility’s continued operation.
The handover also follows the signing of an Operational Agreement between the Ministry of Health and Matsapha Town Council, which provides a framework for the joint management, operation and oversight of the facility.
NERCHA emphasised that the long-term success of the investment would depend on continued collaboration between the responsible institutions, effective governance, adequate financing and routine maintenance.
It also highlighted the importance of comprehensive insurance coverage and the timely replacement of critical equipment whenever required.
NERCHA expressed confidence that the Ministry of Health and Matsapha Town Council would safeguard the investment and ensure that the facility continued to serve the country effectively and sustainably.
The E52 million facility is expected to strengthen the country’s capacity to manage healthcare risk waste through a dedicated treatment and disposal site.
