City responds to waste removal backlogs

The City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) has assured that it is busy with the procurement process for the appointment of service providers in Rooikraal, Rietfontein, Simmer and Jack Landfill sites.

This is to ease the pressure on the CoE’s landfill sites, ensuring that waste collection occurs smoothly.

However, following the recent refuse removal schedule not being adhered to, according to Ward 106 councillor alderman Bruna Haipel, ratepayers were adversely affected.

Haipel said Wednesday areas were only collected this past Friday, while Friday areas have still not been collected.

“This results in dustbins being broken or stolen. People collecting plastic dig in these dustbins and scatter what they don’t want, generally leaving a mess. And councillors are told to contact the MMC, which I duly do,” she said.

She reiterated that residents keep on being highly inconvenienced because refuse removal services in Ekurhuleni are in dire straits and not running according to plan.

The City’s spokesperson, Zweli Dlamini, assured that all possible means are undertaken to ensure that backlogs are cleared within a week.

“The City endeavours to attend to all areas as scheduled. If an area is missed, then the backlogs are cleared within seven days. Backlogs of more than a week are prioritised. Council owns a total of one 196 waste management trucks, the City has enough trucks of its own that are being repaired,” he said.

Dlamini also said that CoE’s employees continue to perform their functions as expected, utilizing hired equipment and are deployed to other services if necessary.