UPDATE: Metro responds to Western Extension refuse removal issues

The Ekurhuleni metro has shed some light on why waste removal across Western Extension experienced delays over the last few weeks.

This comes after residents contacted the Benoni City Times complaining that they are drowning under stinking piles of garbage, waiting to be collected.

According to the City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson, Zweli Dlamini, the areas of Brakpan, Benoni and Alberton have experienced refuse collection interruptions due to breakdown of the fleet.

He said backlogs are addressed as more vehicles become available.

“It must be noted that waste management services are rendered throughout the calendar year during weekdays and on public holidays except on Christmas Day.”
Areas falling on Christmas Day are therefore moved and are scheduled to be serviced the following week,” he explained.

“There is no truth to that refuse collection in the specified area was last provided on the specified date.
“Refuse removal service was consistently rendered during the festive season.
“Western Extension was serviced on December 24 and 27 and January 6 and January 18.”

He said the depot is operating with three rear-end loader compactor trucks.

Also Read: Western Extension residents in the dark- refuse removal

Delays in the provision of waste collection services are mainly caused by:
• Incessant mechanical breakdowns of vehicles.
• Long travel distances from waste collection points to the operational landfill sites.
• Withdrawal of service provision by appointed service providers, due to the delays in payment of their invoices.
• Inclement weather conditions.

“In the event of an interruption of the normal refuse collection schedule, a communication is issued daily to customers through our customer relations management and ward councillors to inform residents about the alternative service date per area,” said Dlamini.

Also Read: Refuse removal slowly returning to normal