Edenvale residents and small business owners Chris and Francis Erasmus highlighted concerns about service delivery after they learned the fourth municipal skip removal truck recently became inoperable.
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According to the couple who run a waste removal business, the last truck servicing Edenvale and Sebenza went in for repairs on October 3 last year.
In light of this, the Erasmus’ brought their concerns to the attention of Bedfordview and Edenvale News.
They informed the publication that before the fourth truck went in for repairs the three other municipal skip removal vehicles were being repaired.
“We have a contract with the municipality, on paper, that they must provide a service on three days a week,” said Chris.
Chris said for several months each time he contacts the municipality to request a skip removal vehicle he is answered with excuses.
“I am either told that the truck is at the dump, it’s in a queue at the dump or the truck is broken but the bottom line is we are not getting our services.”
After trying to address their concerns with the municipality, Chris said he was sent from pillar to post.
He said the situation has left him feeling frustrated while Francis highlighted that the service is non-existent.
“The municipality says it should have four skip removal trucks running, for a while they had one truck running which serviced the whole of Sebenza and Edenvale,” she said.
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“Out of all four trucks, three have been standing still for several months.”
Francis said because of the municipality’s repair needs their company is stuck in a difficult position.
“As a small business, we had to reduce our staff to cover our overheads so that we transport the waste to the dump ourselves.”
She said this includes petrol, vehicle maintenance and dumping fees.
Francis said skips not being removed create additional problems for residents and the community such as fire and health hazards.
She said with the current heat experienced last week it does not take long for skips to start stinking and maggots to start breeding.
Hart gives insight
A day after the Erasmus’ met with the NEWS, Ward 18’s councillor, 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.
Her October 5 statement read as follows: “The service provider is unable to provide compactor trucks so waste collections are suspended until further notice.
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[Sebenza’s] minidump also has to close as all roll-on trucks and skip loaders are in the workshops.“Mayor’s office was alerted and she and relevant MMCs are finding solutions. Sincere apologies. Will provide an update as soon as one is available.”
To seek clarity on the matter the NEWS sent an enquiry to Hart who informed the publication that her post was made for the benefit of ward 18 residents to alert them to the disruption.
She confirmed that the lack of compactor trucks would impact residential refuse collection in Edenvale.
“Despite this, the municipality managed to get two vehicles on the road because our waste collection manager is a miracle worker,” explained Hart.
Hart told the NEWS that the minidump was closed on October 5.
At this point, it is unknown when it will be opened. While the Sebenza dump is closed, Hart advised community members to make use of Simmer and Jack in Germiston.
“The depot will try to open as soon as possible,” said Hart.
A request for comment was sent to CoE on October 6 requesting comment by October 7 at 12:00.
Some of the questions the NEWS sought answers to include: the reasons why the municipal skip removal trucks were in for repairs?
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What led to the trucks’ need for repairs? If the city has the necessary funds to repair the vehicles?
Why did the lack of roll-on trucks and skip loaders affect the closure of the dump?
Why the service provider could not provide compactor trucks? And What the city’s strategy was to ensure waste collection continued in Edenvale?
CoE spokesperson Zweli Dlamini confirmed receiving the request and said the city is processing it.
At the time of going to print no comment was received.
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