Don’t give municipal workers ‘Christmas’

With the season of the year when many people become more generous and merry, the City of Ekurhuleni discourages residents from giving Christmas gifts to its waste management services staff.

According to the city spokesperson, Zweli Dlamini, judging from past experience, handing out gifts to workers is negatively impacting service delivery. It may also result in unnecessary injuries and incidents of property damage.

“In the past, generous residents would give the workers gifts, ranging from money to alcohol. This compromised our ability to render waste collection services effectively.

“The situation can even get worse if an employee decides to drink while on duty and gets injured or causes damage to someone’s property while on duty. While metro employees know that drinking on duty is prohibited, a tempting situation must also be discouraged and prevented in the first place,” said Dlamini.

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The metro also reminds residents that the city’s employees are forbidden from soliciting Christmas gifts from members of the public, as this practice goes against council policy.

“Residents are not obliged to offer any gifts to our staff. Should employees request gifts from you, record the names of these employees, their vehicle registration number and if possible, pictures of the employees and vehicle, to deal with the matter,” advised Dlamini.

These incidents should be reported to the city’s service delivery call centre on 0860 543 000.

The city also pointed out that waste removal services will be delivered according to the waste collection calendar on the public holidays of December 16, 26 and 27.

All municipal public offloading facilities (mini-sites) and landfills will be open throughout the festive season.

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