GALLERY: Trash is still everywhere after the Pikitup strike

Residents are confused and frustrated over the ongoing Pikitup waste removal interference due to the recent strike. Waste is everywhere and it does not seem as if the problem will be solved anytime soon.

Reports were given on 30 November that Pikitup has hired a third party company who will assist in the clean-up. According to Ward 69 committee member René van Niekerk, he sent a message to residents in his area after seeing this report. He advised residents to put their bins outside as their waste should have been picked up. It has almost been a week and the problem is getting worse. “Litter is everywhere and rats as big as cats are also starting to appear,” said Van Niekerk.

Van Niekerk added that some of the residents in his area have hired other services to come and pick up their waste. Residents are still being billed by Pikitup for services that are not being rendered. “Residents who hire services to pick up their waste now have to pay double,” added Van Niekerk. He further referred to the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008, which states that when a consumer pays for a service, they expect to get that service, otherwise it is tantamount to stealing. According to Pikitup communication manager Pansy Oyedele, Pikitup is busy with a recovery plan, but is operating at a slow pace due to the violence. “The third parties that were hired to assist in the clean-up have been ambushed by violence and intimidation. Therefore the clean-up is moving slowly,” said Oyedele.

She advised residents who have the means to do so, to take their waste to the nearest depot. “Residents should search their nearest depot.” She said that residents should understand that they pay Pikitup a monthly fee and not a weekly fee. “The payment is linked to our services, we need payment to pick up the waste,” added Oyedele.

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Details: Pikitup, 011 712 5361.