Lonehill and Paulshof residents welcomed a clean-up operation, spearheaded by MEC Vuyiswa Ramokgopa and her team.

They were onsite at the Clay Oven informal settlement, where they have been battling a mounting waste problem, fearing potential health hazards, fires, and environmental damage.

The clean-up operation followed a site meeting held recently at the settlement with community leaders, members of the Lonehill Residents Association (LRA)’s community matters committee, and a team from the Department of Environmental Health.

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Ramokgopa deployed trucks, skips, and heavy machinery to remove accumulated waste, which residents said posed a growing risk to both Clay Oven and the broader Lonehill and Paulshof community. “Residents reached out, asking that I step in because attempts to get assistance from the city had failed. They outlined serious health concerns, and it was important for us to act.”

However, the operation drew criticism from some residents, who questioned the timing of such visible interventions, suggesting they may be politically motivated ahead of next year’s elections.

Responding to this, Ramokgopa said her department’s work is consistent and ongoing, not election-driven. “We are no strangers to the residents of Lonehill and other communities. We continue to engage. Our mission is to serve people, and we have demonstrated that through our constant presence. This work is part of long-term community support, not political timing.”

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Shelly Miller, spokesperson for the community matters committee, said residents were relieved to finally see action. “We’re grateful to see that MEC Ramokgopa and her team walked the talk. They arrived with the necessary equipment and fulfilled what had been promised. The area has now been cleaned.”

This was not the first clean-up for Ramokgopa’s team, so Fourways Review asked what concrete, long-term results previous operations have achieved, and how she will ensure today’s efforts don’t fade once the cameras leave.

In her response, Ramokgopa said they have engaged various city MMCs, as well as the mayor, through the legislature office, and have seen some progress in some of the issues, including the misuse of rivers and public spaces in Paulshof. “Paulshof is, in fact, one of the communities we are going to be assisting. We have already engaged the residents there, at one of our meetings, and continue to provide constant feedback on what work will be done, and by when.”

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