The lack of refuse collection throughout Edenvale has residents at their wit’s end.
ALSO READ: Indefinite stage six load-shedding highlights the need for IPPs for locals
The city-wide problem started in the last quarter of 2022 and resulted in residential waste not being collected from properties for weeks at a time.
To combat the situation the city established a solid waste task team which was meant to resolve the problem and investigate its cause.
Additionally, the head of department for environmental resources and waste management, Faith Wotshela, was placed on administrative leave.
Despite these efforts, the problem persists and in recent weeks the frustration of residents has grown.
Avenues resident Lilian Steele said her refuse wasn’t collected for almost three weeks.
Fed up Steele emailed the mayor’s office requesting information on when the matter would be resolved.
ALSO READ: Business owners highlight lack of action in Eastleigh
The frustrated resident told the city she was at the point of hiring private companies to remove her waste.
The mother of two said the problem was a massive health hazard.
“I’m concerned for my children’s health, considering the stench and the worms coming out of the bins.
“If I leave the bins too close to the house, it’s a risk for the children but leaving them outside we get the smell from the bins coming into our gardens.”
According to Steele, she was told by Ward 18 Ald Heather Hart that the most recent delays were caused by the wet weather.
“In the last six months this has been an ongoing problem, the city knows about it.”
She said the residents of Edenvale are tired of excuses and want results.
Steele said from what she learned on a community WhatsApp group, it is alleged that some areas receive preferential treatment and have their refuse collected more frequently than other areas.
ALSO READ: How to pay your EMPD traffic fines
She said if this is true it is extremely unfair to all residents of Edenvale.
Steele said residents are required to pay rates and taxes.
“We pay for a weekly service and we are not getting what we pay for.”
Like Steele, Harmelia resident Richard Spencer said parts of his neighbourhood have not been serviced for five weeks.
Spencer said residents contacted their councillor and communicated with the city’s waste department in an attempt to get the problem resolved but the problem persists.
“It is an environmental and health concern for all residents. We as residents are at rope ends and don’t know what more we can do to get this sorted out,” said Spencer.
Like Spencer, a concerned Highway Gardens resident who contacted Bedfordview and Edenvale News in light of the refuse removal concerns said the area was on its fourth week without refuse collection.
“We have had a lack of service delivery for the past year but this is the worse so far,” she said.
ALSO READ: City responds to resident’s damaged car by unmaintained road
“We have bags in the streets and recyclers literally tearing the bags open and dumping the rubbish back in the dustbin making it hard for us to even take our dustbins to the dump ourselves.”
The concerned resident said when residents contact the council the phones aren’t answered or don’t work.
“When you do get a hold of someone, they say you need to go visit the council.”
She said ward councillor do not help.
“Excuses are made of trucks not working or of weather conditions.”
The resident said looking at Edenvale the number of potholes has increased while maintenance of grass has become non-existent.
“I ask the question, where are my taxes going?”
A request for comment was sent to Ekurhuleni’s mayoral office and its communication team department on February 22 requesting comment by February 24 at 13:40. At the time of going to print no comment was received.
Also follow us on:
