Dump sites close amidst refuse removal debacle

Following nearly a week of industrial action, local dumping sites will be operating as usual from September 10.

The Northmead dumping site, on Hospital Road, among others, closed unannounced on September 3 with employees of an independent contractor refusing to allow the public to dump their refuse.

This was allegedly due to unpaid wages.

According to employees, they had not been paid for more than six months and therefore decided to go on strike by shutting all sites managed by their employer, who is contracted to the Ekurhuleni Metro.

“We know the community is relying on our services, especially now that the refuse removal trucks are not running as they should, but we cannot keep working for free,” said one employee, who wished to remain anonymous.

According to André du Plessis, MMC for Environment and Waste Management, the dispute resulting in the closure of the dump sites was resolved on September 8.

“The closure of the sites was not a result of a municipal dispute and was out of our control,” he said.

“We have been assured that the matter has been resolved and that all affected sites will be operational from September 10.

“It is unfortunate that due to the closure of these sites, frustrated residents, affected by the refuse removal backlog, opted to discard their refuse in front of the dump sites gates. This will be cleaned up.”

Commenting on the ongoing refuse removal backlog, du Plessis stated that the metro’s biggest hurdle is still the availability of trucks.

“We are working tirelessly to get additional trucks on the road to return to the normal schedules,” he said.

“By now most areas are being serviced weekly, although it may not yet be on the scheduled days.

“Information regarding service days and areas is still being circulated by ward councillors via their service delivery WhatsApp groups.”

He continued by saying backlogs on servicing of blue skips at complexes remain unresolved.

“We only have two trucks for this service, both of which have been in service for more than seven years and breaks down regularly,” he said.

“Management at complexes that have not been serviced must report the matter to the CoE’s call centre for reference numbers to be sent through to the waste removal depot for prioritisation.”

Du Plessis further stated that the reopening of the Weltevreden and Rooikraal landfill sites, which has further exasperated the refuse removal debacle and contributed to lengthy turn-around time, should take place at the beginning of October.

Both sites were closed at the end of June due to contract negotiations not having been reached.

Closure of the sites resulted in trucks having to travel to landfills in Chloorkop, Kempton Park and Platkop, Heidelberg, which according to the department led to the initial removal backlog.

It has since come to light that alleged sabotage of vehicles servicing both Benoni and Boksburg led to further backlogs resulting in domestic wheelie bins overflowing, while some areas have not been serviced for more than six weeks.

Executive Mayor Tania Campbell and MMCs have met with senior officials in the waste management departments to resolve the backlog.

“The mayor has taken a hard line on this issue and will be implementing consequences management for officials who have underperformed in their respective duties,” said Warren Gwilt, mayoral spokesperson.

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