The metro recently confirmed that the shortage of resources (vehicles) has aggravated the problem of waste collections delays, saying the department has for the past few weeks been grappling to clear the waste collection backlog created across the City.
It also told this publication, on April 22, that the door-to-door waste collection backlog would be cleared within two weeks. However, scores of residents complained that they were still experiencing non-collections after April 4.
Some worried residents said the garbage problem has worsened and didn’t know who to turn to for help.
The Advertiser again on April 5 sought an explanation from the metro, but no response has been received as of yet.
SIU Investigation
President Cyril Ramaphosa recently ordered the Special Investigating Unit to investigate allegations of corruption related to an R27-million Ekurhuleni waste collection vehicle tender.
The unit has been ordered to investigate allegations of corruption and maladministration in Ekurhuleni metro and the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Affected residents’ comment on poor waste collections
Hugo Lottering: Beyers Park three weeks.
Lizette Simpson: Lets’ see the waste disposal budget. Disclose who holds the tender, how many bins have had to be replaced by the municipality, and at what cost. Credit every household for services not rendered. What is the state of the landfills?
Dawn Mills: Bartlett going into week two with no collection! Appalled and disgusted in the service delivery we pay for. Is the mayor not embarrassed?
Andrea Mendes: We were told our suburb of Bartlett would be back to normal, but still waiting to even see the truck. Pathetic. Bins are overloaded. This is going into the second week. I don’t buy any of the excuses. It’s just plain incompetence.
Bertha Theunissen: What are they doing with the millions and millions they get for the bins only? They should fix the flipping trucks!
Shalane Miller: I must say, Freeway Park has never had a problem with garbage collection (touch wood). Been living here for 10 years, and I can remember one week skipped maybe twice.
Franca Jenner: Then how about stop billing for a service they can’t provide.
Nazli Maclean: Reiger Park, popcorn valley. They collect only half of Reiger Park every Wednesday what about the rest of the community?
Tyrone Braybrooke: Maybe we should dump our garbage at the municipal building.
Gary Johnson-Barker: Boksburg North, businesses get collected, but households now into the second week no collection. Bins smell like something had died in it.
Sandra Bishop: Boksburg Noord mense dump al sommer op sypaadjies.
Grant Stockdal: Witfield we are now also two weeks behind schedule with no sign of improvement.
Frik Dorfling: Morganridge, imagine R401 paid for no service. Calculate only 5 000 bins that give them over R2-million for no service!
Also Read: President orders SIU to probe R27-m Ekurhuleni waste collection contract
