The City of Johannesburg’s waste collecting agency, Pikitup, has instituted contingency measures to counter the effects of disruptions to its services caused by the protracted labour unrest.
The strike by members of the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) has, in part, resulted in a stoppage in waste collection.
In a recent statement, the agency said the disruptions were also accompanied by intimidation by workers in some areas. It appealed to residents and businesses to keep bins and excess waste outside their properties to ensure rubbish is collected at night until normal services resume. This is to ensure the safety of third party contractors.
The agency identified areas affected by intimidation included Alexandra, Ivory Park, Diepsloot, Doornfontein, hostels in the CBD, Orlando East, Meadowlands, Goudkoppies, Diepkloof, Zola, Protea North, Mndeni, Dobsonville, Mapetla, Mangololo, George Goch, Denver, Zamimpilo, Slovo, Kathrada informal settlement, Westbury, Riverlea, Freedom Park, Lehae, Lenasia South and Lawley.
The statement urged residents and businesses to also recycle their waste in order to reduce what goes to the landfill sites and, where possible, to drop off their bagged waste at their nearest garden refuse sites.
Other contingency measures in place include:
- Waste collection at municipal clinics, hospitals and from bulk customers.
- Scheduling emergency collection from commercial customers if requested through the customer service desk.
- Continuous decanting of all garden sites.
- Collection of recyclable materials in some areas.
- Services not being offered include street sweeping or litter picking, except in select places, and bulk waste service.
Details: For any complaints about refuse collection call 0860 562 874; or click here; @CleanerJoburg; Jacky Mashapu on 079 506 0568.
