Of late, the lack of collection of waste has become a hot topic.
The Advertiser has also received photos of rubbish piling up at certain spots in the city.
In reaction, the mayor of Ekurhuleni, Mzwandile Masina, said during his State of the City Address that as of March 2019, there is a campaign aimed at the eradication of all illegal dumping hotspot areas in all wards.
The mayor said placement of walk-in bulk containers has commenced in selected informal areas throughout the City. This programme will be rolled out to strategic areas in all informal settlements by June 2021.
“The metro is working very hard to ensure that a comprehensive turnaround strategy is devised that can ensure a quick and lasting solution is being developed,” said the mayor in his address, which was delivered on March 27 .
“Because we are a City that is not ashamed to take responsibility and are frank about our limitations and the challenges that confront us, we are able to stand before you today and report that we have been plagued with reports from citizens about the lack of waste collection, in Kempton Park in particular.
“This naturally has adverse implications for the environment and the health of residents in the said community.
“It must be clear to our people that we are not only aware of this problem, but our commitment to ensuring a clean City is evidenced by the efforts that we have been making in upgrading waste disposal sites in Weltevrede, Bedfordview, Benoni, Boksburg, Edenvale, Esselen Park, Germiston, Kempton Park and Nigel.”
“The intention is to provide an upscaled, once a week waste collection service.
The mayor said the metro has acquired 70 tuk-tuks to assist with our waste management programme.
“These tuk-tuks are not only cost-efficient, but they also assist with the reduction of the carnage on our roads, exacerbated by a high number of reclaimers on the roads.
“Tuk-tuks deal with the waste management in informal settlements, where mini-disposal centres will be established. But more than this, they will create a sustainable source of income for the trained operators who will be driving them, thereby making a meaningful contribution towards the local economy.
“In intensifying cleaning campaigns and access of households to refuse removal, the City delivered 240 litre bins to 209 297 households. We have also conceptualised a plan of integrating the Clean City Initiative into a new program which is already being implemented in the current financial year.”
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