Residents of Farmall have renewed calls for improved service delivery, citing deteriorating road conditions, delayed refuse collection, and growing concerns over illegal dumping in the area.

Resident Kirsten Nel said community members have repeatedly raised concerns with authorities, but have yet to see meaningful improvements. “Nothing has been done regarding the state of our roads and the fact that we only get refuse removal every three weeks. Rates and taxes are paid with no service delivery.”
According to Nel, ongoing development in the area has increased traffic volumes, while road infrastructure has remained unchanged. “There are new developments in the area, new traffic, and still no road upgrade. In the wet season, roads get bad enough that people are stuck.”

Read more: Chartwell’s dumping crisis worsens

Residents have also raised concerns about illegal dumping, which they believe has worsened following the opening of a composting facility in the area. “There is dumping happening ever since the opening of a new compost establishment. Who keeps our roads clean?”

Ward 96 councillor Rufas Maswazi acknowledged the challenges facing residents and said refuse collection delays are not unique to Farmall. “Pikitup are currently having a backlog in terms of their collections across Johannesburg.”

Also read: Farmall residents demand urgent road repairs

He explained that one of the major contributing factors is pressure on landfill sites, resulting in collection trucks spending extended periods waiting to offload waste. “The landfill is full currently, so you find that trucks that are going to the landfill to dump have to wait in long queues. Some of them even come back with the refuse and return the next day because the queues are long.”

Maswazi added that operational and budget constraints have also affected service delivery.

On the condition of roads in Farmall and neighbouring Chartwell, Maswazi said the area’s agricultural zoning presents challenges for permanent road upgrades. “Farmall and Chartwell are agricultural holdings. For roads to be tarred there would need to be agreement from the community. Some residents support tarring while others want to maintain the rural character of the area.”

Pikitup and Johannesburg Road Agency were contacted for comment regarding the refuse collection and road concerns raised by residents. More information will be provided once their responses become available.

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