ETHEKWINI Municipality has issued an urgent plea to residents to obey the national lockdown rules and stay at home.
In a media release this week, the city said recent media coverage across communities in the metro had shown people leaving their homes and dumping refuse outside waste sites.
“It is regarded “unlawful” during the lockdown to leave home for this practice. It is placing additional challenges during the coronavirus crisis as DSW workers are left vulnerable by being physically exposed to the various health risks including infections in these clean ups,” said municipal spokesperson, Mandla Nsele.
He said DSW was working hard behind the scenes to ensure that waste workers are safe and precautionary measures are in place to mitigate transmission or infections to its workers.
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“This is a period of solidarity as well as social responsibility and it is during this time every citizen has to realise the importance of waste management. It is time to take the lockdown seriously, as difficult as it may be, in order to emerge stronger as a society.”
He added that DSW would strive to ensure the level of public health protection is maintained and that waste management services do not collapse during the coronavirus crisis.
“Residents are to take note that collection of refuse will be as per normal scheduled collection days and should there be a concern then the DSW customer line can be reached.”
Meanwhile, DSW has slammed hoax messages circulating on social media claiming that its staff have downed tools because personal protective equipment is not available.
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“This information is not true; the staff who are at the forefront of the day-to-day waste collection duties have been issued with the required PPE in order to perform the waste collection duties and are not on a strike or go slow. The Head of Department, Mr. Raymond Rampersad would like to assure residents that the safety of our employees is taken very seriously by management.”
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