Ward 94 councillor David Foley was left waiting today after Pikitup Kyalami garden refuse operations manager Cynthia Mphahlele failed to arrive for a scheduled site meeting, despite earlier confirming her attendance.

The no-show, however, did not stop Foley from getting what he needed off his chest. After waiting for almost an hour, the councillor eventually managed to speak to Mphahlele, using one of Pikitup’s employees’ phones.

Mphahlele told Foley she was having challenges with her car, but he raised questions around accountability, as the operations manager did not initiate contact herself.

Read more: Kyalami garden refuse site buckles under pressure

During the call, however, she did acknowledge the ongoing operational challenges at the Kyalami garden refuse site.

“We’re still having a problem with the trucks. Some break down, and sometimes we don’t have diesel. I had to draw resources from other activities to help clear the backlog.”

Foley questioned how service providers are held accountable when agreed fleet numbers are not delivered. “If they’re supposed to give you 10 trucks, then there should be 10 on site,” he said, adding that withholding payment does little to assist residents when refuse remains uncollected.

While on site, Foley observed increased activity, including tipper trucks assisting with waste removal, but stressed the need for a clear timeline for restoring full operations, saying complaints from residents continue to mount.

Mphahlele acknowledged that the situation has been worsened by the closure of nearby garden refuse sites in Woodmead and Bryanston, placing added pressure on the Kyalami facility.

She confirmed that Woodmead is undergoing renovations, expected to run until May or June, while she was unable to provide clarity on Bryanston’s closure.

Also read: UPDATE: Pikitup promises weekend work as residents demand refuse backlogs be cleared

Foley also raised concerns over improper dumping at the site, including mattresses, tyres, building rubble, and general litter items not classified as garden refuse.  “These are things that should be stopped at the gate. There’s litter everywhere, bottles, cans, papers. That’s not garden refuse. There must be pride in where you work.”

He said he would engage directly with supervisors and staff to address access control and cleanliness, noting that the site was in good condition toward the end of last year before deteriorating in December.

Foley also called for urgent intervention, improved gate management, and stronger operational oversight, warning that unless problems are addressed at the source, service delivery failures will persist.

@caxtonjoburgnorth Ward 94 councillor David Foley on a call at the Kyalami garden refuse facility after being forced to reach Pikitup’s operations manager via an employee’s phone. Video: Ditiro Masuku #caxtonlocalmedia #Localnews #News #2026 #SA #Community #servicedelivery #Government #johannesburg #Fyp #Fourways ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North

He confirmed he will continue engaging Pikitup management to stabilise the site and restore services for Ward 94 residents.

Pikitup’s spokesperson Muzi Mkhwanazi was made aware that Fourways Review was on site, following a feature published recently about the operations of the site.

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