Departments

This department ensures safety of all food offered
and consumed within the urban area.

Public and Environmental Health Manager

Mpendulo Mhlanga

Public and Environmental Health

The Public and Environmental Health Department is responsible for safeguarding public health and maintaining a clean, safe, and sustainable urban environment within the jurisdiction of the Nhlangano Town Council. The Department implements and enforces municipal public health regulations while supporting national environmental and health policies. Through regulatory oversight, service delivery, and community engagement, the Department works to prevent disease, promote environmental sanitation, and improve the overall quality of life for residents.

The Department operates within the framework of applicable national legislation and municipal by-laws relating to public health, environmental protection, sanitation, and waste management.

Core Functions

Waste Management

The Department oversees municipal waste management services, including the collection, transportation, disposal, and monitoring of refuse. It also supervises landfill operations and promotes proper waste handling practices to ensure hygienic urban conditions and environmental protection.

Sanitation Services

Responsible for monitoring and maintaining sanitation infrastructure, including public toilets, drainage systems, and related facilities. The Department works to prevent environmental contamination and reduce the risk of communicable diseases associated with poor sanitation.

Abattoir Regulation and Meat Inspection

The Department supervises operations at the municipal abattoir to ensure compliance with hygiene, food safety, and animal health standards. This includes inspection of livestock prior to slaughter and monitoring of meat handling practices to safeguard public health.

Animal Control and Pound Management

Management of stray animals through the operation of municipal pounds and enforcement of relevant animal control by-laws. The Department also addresses issues related to nuisance animals and promotes responsible animal ownership.

Cemetery Administration and Management

The Department administers municipal cemeteries, including the allocation of burial sites, maintenance of cemetery grounds, and management of burial records. It also ensures that cemetery operations comply with health and environmental regulations.

Environmental Health Promotion and Awareness

Promotion of environmental sustainability through community education, clean-up campaigns, and public awareness initiatives on sanitation, waste management, and pollution control.

Public Health Inspections and Compliance

Routine inspections of food premises, informal traders, public facilities, and other establishments to ensure compliance with health regulations and municipal by-laws. The Department also investigates public health complaints and takes corrective enforcement action where necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

1Who is eligible for a burial space at the Council cemetery?
Everyone who owns property within the perimeters of the town, including government for pauper’s funeral.
2How do I apply for a burial grave?
An application must be submitted to the Nhlangano Town Council Civic Centre. You will need:
• Proof of residence
• A certified copy of the Death Certificate
• The National ID of the Next of Kin
• Proof of payment for the burial fees.
3What are the current burial fees?
• For an adult it’s E500.00
• For a child it’s E300.00
4Is the Council responsible for digging the grave?
The Council does the preliminary digging of the grave on the designated plot with final preparations of the grave being a responsibility of the applicant.
5How much notice is required before a burial can take place?
The application must be made at least 24 hours before the actual date to allow the Council time to allocate and do the preliminary preparations/digging of the grave.