Pikitup will start collecting waste again at all impacted depots, including Randburg, following recent disruptions that left locals buried beneath uncollected trash and at risk for health problems.
Following these disruptions, the Democratic Alliance (DA) warned that Johannesburg’s waste management system is in crisis. Casual worker industrial action blocked trucks from leaving depots, leaving residents with uncollected refuse and forcing many to resort to illegal dumping, creating serious public health and environmental hazards.
“The ANC-EFF-PA-led administration’s failure to pay service providers has brought waste management operations to the brink of collapse,” said DA spokesperson Tyrell Meyers.
Two of the city’s four active landfill sites remain closed, while many others are full or permanently shut, compounding the problem.
Meyers called on the city to urgently reopen landfill sites, stabilise labour relations, integrate informal waste reclaimers, and communicate transparently with residents.
“Johannesburg residents should not be forced to live amid refuse, disease, and environmental hazards because of administrative failure,” he said.
The DA demands immediate accountability from Mayor Dada Morero and MMC Jack Sekwaila to restore essential services, safeguard public health, and protect the dignity of all residents.
While the DA warned of an ongoing waste crisis, the MMC took immediate steps to restore services. Jack Sekwaila, MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services, voiced concern over the stoppages at three depots and convened a meeting on January 27 with Pikitup management, the board, organised labour, and casual worker representatives to resolve the disputes.
City officials confirmed that the meeting ended with an agreement to immediately resume normal waste collection services, while recruitment-related challenges will be addressed collaboratively with Pikitup, organised labour, and casual worker representatives.
Sekwaila commended Pikitup management for acting swiftly and pledged to keep residents informed following the recent disruptions.
“It is important to note that not all depots were affected by the protest action. At this point, only three of the twelve depots are impacted, namely Marlboro, Midrand, and Randburg.
“Pikitup is currently implementing a catch-up plan to clear the waste collection backlog in the affected areas. Residents will be kept informed of our progress and notified if any further service-related challenges arise during this period,” he added.
He also addressed a troubling political incident at the Randburg depot, where some political parties attempted to exploit the situation for campaigning.
“We have observed an instance where a political party claimed to assist the casual workers, fully aware that they cannot resolve the underlying issue between Pikitup and the casual workers, which does not require the intervention of anyone wearing a political party shirt,” he said.
Sekwaila apologised to residents for the missed waste collections and assured them that Pikitup is working to restore normal services. He also thanked residents for their patience and understanding during the disruptions.
The Star
masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za