Residents have pointed fingers at Pikitup teams for allegedly manhandling refuse bins and failing to empty some of them during collection rounds in Fourways.

Jan Degaye took a video of his damaged bin to raise his concerns in a community group before the matter was brought to the attention of Ward 94 councillor David Foley.

“I don’t know who I can speak to about this, but the refuse collectors are not handling these bins properly. We constantly have to repair or replace them because they keep getting cracked and broken.”

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Degaye claimed refuse collectors often throw the bins onto the ground, causing them to crack and break. “This is one of our newer bins, and it has already been damaged.

“Another issue is that, for some reason, they are refusing to empty certain bins. For the past two weeks, the bins in this condition have not been collected, forcing me to transfer the rubbish into a different bin just for it to be emptied.”

According to Degaye, residents have had to replace damaged bins themselves while waiting for replacements from the city. “We’ve had to throw some of our bins away because of the damage. I requested replacements about a year ago, but we still have not received new bins.”

Another resident, Graig Bennett, echoed Degaye’s concerns. Bennett captured CCTV footage showing refuse collectors emptying a bin before carelessly throwing it aside without taking proper care while handling it.

“I find it unacceptable that this is how the bins are handled, and then we must pay for replacement when they are broken.”

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Pikitup spokesperson Muzi Mkhwanazi said collection crews are trained to handle bins carefully during waste collection services. “Pikitup loaders and crew are trained, and constantly reminded daily to handle bins with care when rendering waste collection services.”

He added that investigations are conducted when complaints about damaged bins are reported, and that damaged bins are replaced at no cost if responsibility is confirmed.

“In such cases, investigations are undertaken, corrective measures are taken, and the damaged bin is collected and replaced at no cost.”

Mkhwanazi said residents needing replacement bins should log a request with the City of Johannesburg call centre on 011 375 5555 and select option four, or contact the Pikitup call centre on 010 055 5990 or 087 357 1068.

“Residents are required to provide their City of Johannesburg rates and taxes account number, physical address, and contact details when submitting a request.”

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