Water quality is declining due to the rise of urbanization, overpopulation, industrial production, climate change, non-compliance of wastewater treatment plants, and agricultural waste. The mushrooming of informal settlements along the bank of the Diep River due to population growth in Dunoon compromises the quality of water. Inadequate sanitation and waste disposal practices in the Dunoon informal settlement are a major problem, leading to the contamination of water resources. This research aimed to investigate the impact of Dunoon informal settlement on the Diep River water quality. Water samples were collected for 4 months from four sites of the river to cover the spatial distribution. The laboratory determined the concentrations of nitrates, phosphates, dissolved oxygen, chemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids, and E. coli, while the field study used a multiparameter reader to determine turbidity, temperature, electrical conductivity, pH, salinity, and dissolved oxygen. The results were compared with the South African water quality guidelines for irrigation, recreation, and aquatic ecosystems, and South African National Standards. The study revealed that the average concentrations of E. coli, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, salinity, turbidity, chemical oxygen demand, and ammonia exceeded the recommended limits in both the wet and dry seasons. Based on the findings, the water quality in Diep River is poor and the Dunoon informal settlement has contributed to this to some extent. The pollution of the river may be linked to health problems and environmental degradation. Considering this, the waste discharged into the neighbouring aquatic environments needs to be monitored and managed frequently.

Public participation is an integral part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, as it provides opportunities for interested and affected parties (I&APs) to participate in the decision making process. This process is part of the legislative regime in South Africa and recognized as the main instrument to ensure that the proposed development is sustainable from a triple-helix perspective (i.e., ecological, socially, and economically sustainable). Therefore, the paper describes a case of public engagement in Xolobeni, located in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, as well as the environmental politics that evolved from arguments that favoured development over environmental conservation. The proposed mining project was known as the Xolobeni mining development project. The Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources announced in 2005 that an Australian company, Transworld Energy and Minerals (TEM), would establish a mining development project in Xolobeni to mine red sand dunes contained within five blocks, each named after the river that runs through it on its southern border. The Department of Minerals and Energy is the exclusive custodian of mining licences and thus the only Department that issues them, according to the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act (Act 28 of 2002). When seeking mining rights, it also requires corporations to consult with local populations. The Amadiba Crisis Committee filed a mining licence appeal based on a lack of consultation. One of the complications was also brought about by the divided community. TEM’s solicitors sent a redacted copy of the mining right application to the community on 3 February 2016. The community was informed that drilling would begin on February 22nd, and that force would be employed if access was not granted. Following the receipt of the mining rights copy, an objection was lodged under section 10 of the MPRDA. The people resisted because they did not want their land, to be taken away. The community also opposed the proposed mining because they were concerned about the negative social, economic, and environmental effects. The land in Xolobeni was also used by the community for agriculture, or tourism and they did not want to lose that. The community also resists the migration of foreigners who wish to dwell in their village, fearing that they will overrun their way of life and impose a social lifestyle commonly connected with mining activity. The preceding study highlights the potential for conflict when communities reject the establishment of mining enterprises. As a result, the goal of this study is to see if incorporating community agreement into South Africa’s legal requirements for granting a mining licence could help to reduce community unrest. The High Court ruled in favour of Xolobeni residents in this mining rights case

Many low-income developing countries struggle with waste collection and the development of disposal facilities, leading to issues such as illegal dumping and poor enforcement of waste management regulations. The pollution caused by street vendors' waste is particularly evident in the central business districts of cities in developing nations. The informal economy, which includes activities such as street vending has become prevalent in developing countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan African (SSA) nations. This study aims to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of existing literature on street vendors' waste management practices in the region, with a focus on understanding the factors influencing waste mismanagement and identifying integrated strategies employed across SSA. In most SSA areas, research is conducted to evaluate food vendor hygienic practices (33%), however the waste management component, which is crucial to hygiene, makes up just 15%, which is twice as small as the research that focused on hygienic practices. As a result, street vendors in the majority of sub-Saharan nations have little interest in waste management procedures. Many street vendors in the region resort to informal waste disposal methods because of no access to formal waste management infrastructure since they are not recognised as formal businesses. The study acknowledges the street vendors' contribution to food security in developing Sub Saharan Africa, as well as the significance of comprehending their waste management practices. Despite their prevalence in urban areas, these informal businesses still face a lack of recognition and inclusion from governing bodies. Therefore, the study emphasises the necessity of incorporating street vendors into formal municipal waste management systems and providing them with enhanced infrastructure and services. Given that the lack of recognition subsequently make it challenging to integrate vendors into formal waste management systems. Subsequently this has a negative cumulative impact on developing and enforcing clear regulations that specify the responsibilities of street vendors in waste management. Thus, leading to the absence of comprehensive by laws regulations governing waste management for street vendors within Sub-Saharan Africa.

Illegal disposal of solid waste is a significant issue in many parts of the world, particularly in urban areas. Because of unprecedented urbanization, these areas are crowded, putting pressure on the already inadequate municipal services such as waste management. As municipalities fail to provide adequate and effective waste management services, the expansion and proliferation of informal settlements contribute to the problem of illegal dumping. Apartheid spatial planning produced environmentally unsustainable cities characterized by glaring disparities in municipal resource allocation, disturbingly inefficient transportation systems, and widespread urban insecurity. Therefore, this study examines how the expansion of informal settlement at an unprecedented rate contributes to illegal dumping post-apartheid by conducting a systematic review. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a literature search from 1994 to 2023 was conducted in the field of waste management. The review focuses on three key aspects: (1) factors that contribute to illegal dumping in townships; (2) waste management laws during apartheid and post apartheid; and (3) waste collection system in townships and spatial planning. South Africa’s inequality is a major contributor to environmental degradation. The situation was exacerbated by efforts to prevent urban migration and forcefully remove black people from cities; apartheid ideology justified the dormitory-like nature of urban townships. In the South African context, the literature reveals that there is a research gap in the application of technologies and effective waste management plans to keep up with the growing number of informal settlements. Furthermore, despite progressive environmental policies, implementation has been ineffective. This study offers valuable evidence on the spatial and temporal dynamics of informal settlements, addressing both the location and time aspects. A robust government-led Community Participation in Solid Waste Management program is required immediately.

Municipalities face the greatest difficulty in implementing an efficient and effective waste collection system, especially in informal settlements with limited spatial planning. Illegal dumping is exacerbated by the proliferation of informal settlements and the lack of adequate waste management services provided by municipalities. A geographic information system (GIS) provides decision makers with a framework for analyzing and simulating a wide variety of spatial problems, including waste management issues. The purpose of this study is to map areas susceptible to illegal dumping and to determine why the community dumps there. The data were collected qualitatively via a questionnaire using a purposeful sampling technique, and SPSS 28.0 was used to analyze the data. The accessibility of streets and the availability of vacant land affected the location and concentration of illegal dumping in the test area. The lands within a buffer zone of 250 to 500 m of populated areas are the most vulnerable. The majority of residents have individual garbage receptacles, while a minority of 43.18% do not. A total of 52 dumpsites were identified inside the red zone of the model, suggesting a strong likelihood of illegal dumping activities. Hence, the community continues to have difficulties in effectively managing garbage disposal, compelling them to resort to alternative methods of waste disposal.