Vehicle repairs lead to dump closure – CoE

The City of Ekurhuleni confirmed that four of its skip removal vehicles meant to service the greater Edenvale area are being repaired.

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This comes after Edenvale business owners Chris and Francis Erasmus highlighted a lack of service delivery caused by the lack of municipal skip removal trucks.

According to the couple, who run a waste removal business, the last truck servicing Edenvale and Sebenza went in for repairs on October 3.

The Erasmus’ who said they have a contract with the municipality, explained it must provide a service three days a week.

According to CoE spokesperson Zweli Dlamini, the fourth truck went in for repairs on October 4, not the third as stated by the business owners.

He further added that the city is not aware of a contract between the couple’s company and the municipality.

He said this first vehicle was sent for repairs on February 18, diagnoses indicated the engine and gearbox failure.

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“The quote for repairs was high and it was deemed uneconomical to proceed with the repairs,” said Dlamini.

“It was recommended to write [the vehicle] off due to the high cost of repairs and considering the age of the vehicle which is 10 years.”

He said another vehicle first went in for repairs on June 15 in preparation for its roadworthy certificate. This vehicle is expected to be repaired by October 21.

Dlamini said the third vehicle went for repairs on July 20 to have an engine overhaul and is being repaired by November 7.

The fourth truck was sent for repairs on October 10 for its brake booster and gearbox.

No information was provided about when the fourth truck would be repaired.

Dlamini said the city has the funds to repair the vehicles.

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On October 5 a day after the Erasmus’ met with the Bedfordview And Edenvale NEWS, Ward 18 Clr and MMC for Infrastructure, City Planning and Land Parcels Heather Hart issued a statement on social media informing the community of Edenvale’s waste removal situation.

In her post, Hart stated that service providers were unable to provide compactor trucks and as a result waste collections were suspended until further notice.

Additionally, she informed residents of Ward 18 that the Sebenza Dump was closed because of the lack of skip removal trucks.

When asked about this Dlamini said, “Vehicles for residential refuse collection services have been available as of October 5.”

Dlamini said residential refuse collection services in Edenvale were on schedule since October 6.

“If for some reason there are areas not completed on the scheduled day, services will resume the very next day.”

He said if the residential refuse collection schedule is interrupted the city will activate a turnaround strategy when needed.

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Explaining the closure of the Sebenza dump, Dlamini said it was operational until October 5.

“The facility is predominately serviced by roll-on roll-off vehicles, which are currently in for repairs.

“The public off-loading facility in Sebenza will be operational once the bulk container handling vehicles are available or sourced from other depots.”

Dlamini said the date to reopen the dump is unknown at this stage.

“It will be communicated with the public once it is determined.”

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