Tshwane’s waste management system seemingly remains under threat after a driver was left battered and bloodied, with his head gashed open in a vicious attack on Tuesday.
According to the Tshwane metro, on September 10, the city suffered two separate attacks on its water and waste services staff.
In one incident, a waste service vehicle with three city officials was hijacked on Solomon Mahlangu Drive and its occupants were robbed of their cellphones. The truck was later abandoned.
The assault marks the latest escalation in a wave of violence that has gripped the Tshwane metro’s waste services.
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The attacks have been regular since Tshwane overhauled its waste management contracts, sparking fury among unknown groups believed to be axed contractors.
Previously Tshwane spokesperson, Selby Bokaba said the usual waste collection schedule had been badly impacted in Region 6 since the new waste management service providers took over on July 15 under new conditions.
The new conditions include:
– E-Natis valid certificate to verify the roadworthiness of the vehicle, to present the vehicle on-site, and to ensure the vehicle certificate is not fraudulent.
– Installation of a tracking device to verify that the allocated routes have been travelled.
– The vehicle should not be older than nine years to prevent frequent breakdowns and to minimise the wear and tear of the compaction mechanism.
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Bokaba said on September 10, two waste removal trucks belonging to a contractor were pelted with stones in Hatherley forcing a disruption of services.
Bokaba said the said trucks provide a service to Region 5 and were en route to the Hatherley landfill site to dispose of waste when the attack occurred.
He said one official was injured and the others were traumatised.
“These developments come in the wake of the introduction of new service providers who assumed duty with effect from Monday, July 15,” said Bokaba.
It is suspected that the perpetrators could be the disgruntled former workers of the previous service providers.
Tshwane city manager Johann Mettler has strongly condemned “these dastardly acts” and called on communities to identify these criminals.
“We have approached SAPS at the provincial level to join forces with us in our fight against these crimes against the state,” said Mettler.
“Tshwane metro police are also on high alert to clamp down harshly on anyone who partakes in acts of violence against city property or private property.
The cowardly and thuggish attack on the waste trucks will not deter us from continuing to render services to our communities.”
Meanwhile, a team of water and sanitation technicians was attacked early this afternoon in Mamelodi while installing the pressure monitoring points.
He said their truck was stoned; fortunately, they managed to escape unharmed.
The attack is directly related to the city’s efforts to address the perennial water supply challenges to Ikageng and surrounding areas.
“The city understands the frustration endured by residents of Ikageng. Attacking officials who are trying their utmost best to normalise the water supply to the area is not a solution, as the problem remains unresolved as a result of the violent attack on the team.”
Tshwane metro police spokesperson, Sergeant Rebone Molapo, said metro police are aware of the incident.
“The TMPD can confirm an incident whereby a waste removal truck was stoned by unknown individuals at Hatherley landfills in Mamelodi.
The TMPD was alerted and responded swiftly and three suspects were arrested and detained at a local police station and were expected to appear in court soon,” said Molapo.
“As metro police, we will continue to monitor the area until we are sure that everything is back to normal.
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