A delay in refuse removal services across Ekurhuleni has resulted in refuse piling up outside Benoni homes.
The City Times met with Ward 28 councillor Malanie Haggard on March 1, who claimed the current lack of effective waste management services affecting Benoni is owed to diesel and waste truck shortages within the Ekurhuleni metro.
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“Around 60 per cent of the waste trucks are in workshops for repairs and the Ekurhuleni metro has no diesel for the trucks,” explained Haggard.
“This is an issue that does not just affect Benoni, but the metro as a whole.
“The areas most affected by this have been Kempton Park and Alberton with Benoni, previously very fortunate in this regard, now being affected.
“Added to this is the fact that the crisis was addressed 18 months ago and in that duration, there was no HOD at the waste department.
“The DA feels the HOD placed has a lack of expertise and knowledge to be in this position.
“When the HOD was voted in, the DA was against the appointment, but we were outvoted.
“The depot manager is giving is us regular updates as to when the rubbish collections in the areas will be taking place, but there is a backlog in the work.
“When the trucks are being sent out it is all the available resources going out to collect the rubbish, which results in a shortage in other areas, adding to a bigger backlog.
“Essentially, they are playing catch up.”
While the issue of refuse collection piling up continues, a skip filled to the brim with waste in Actonvillle between Ajmery and Karachi Courts had residents up in arms last week.
The skip, which was filled with waste such as old food, faeces and old furniture, had, according to some residents, attracted rats and other infestations, resulting in a community health hazard.
“This problem was ongoing since February,” said Ajmery Court resident Stella Hokai.
“Rubbish was filled to the top and non-residents were also coming through to throw their dirt into the skip.
“The smell was putrid, which led to the rats running wild.
“My daughter, who is not even a year old, was in hospital for five days due to illness.
“According to the doctor, the environment she was exposed to was a major contributor to her ill health.
“We had to close our doors and windows so we don’t inhale the fumes despite recent weather proving to be so hot.”
The City Times went out to inspect the site on Bhoja Street on March 1.
The strong stench of rotting rubbish and faeces could be found when approaching the skip.
Since visiting the site, the skip was emptied and moved to another area in the parking lot between the two flats.
“We never had the skip inside the parking lot before, it usually stood outside alongside the fence,” explained Hokai.
The metro was contacted for comment regarding the placement of the skip.
No comment was received at the time of publishing.
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