Outrage in Primrose after city orders community cleaning group to stop

Frustration is mounting among residents and business owners in Primrose after the City of Ekurhuleni issued a cease order to a local NPO that has been assisting with refuse collection and street cleaning in the area for over four years.

Better Primrose stepped in to help keep the suburb clean after noticing the municipal services were inconsistent. However, the city has now instructed the group to halt its activities, a decision that has sparked outrage among ratepayers and the local business community.

According to community representatives, Better Primrose had been playing a crucial role in maintaining the cleanliness of streets and public spaces in the area.

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“The organisation’s efforts helped create a safer and more welcoming environment for customers, while residents relied on the initiative to address ongoing waste management challenges,” said David Hutch-Barr, vice chairperson of the Primrose Ratepayers Association.

The city reportedly appointed a municipal contractor to handle refuse collection and street cleaning in the area some time ago. Despite this, residents claim that Better Primrose continued to shoulder much of the responsibility for maintaining cleanliness in Primrose.

Business owners argue that the decision to stop the organisation from operating is both confusing and damaging, particularly at a time when service delivery concerns remain unresolved. Community members say the cease order is especially troubling given other pressing challenges in the area.

These include the continued operation of illegal liquor outlets, inconsistent enforcement of municipal by-laws, and what residents describe as a lack of visible law enforcement presence.

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Many in the community believe the city should prioritise addressing these issues rather than preventing a volunteer-driven initiative from assisting in maintaining public spaces.

Residents and ratepayers have also raised concerns about governance and priorities, questioning why a community-led effort aimed at improving the environment is being halted while service delivery gaps persist.

They argue that residents have a constitutional right to live and operate businesses in a clean, safe, and dignified environment, and that preventing community-driven initiatives from contributing to this goal undermines that right.

Members of the Primrose community are now calling on the City of Ekurhuleni to reconsider the decision and engage with stakeholders to find a solution that supports both municipal processes and community involvement.

For many business owners, the issue goes beyond refuse collection; it reflects broader concerns about service delivery and the role of community partnerships in helping address challenges in the metro.

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Community representatives say they hope the matter will receive urgent attention as residents seek accountability and a practical resolution that allows Primrose to remain clean and safe.

Germiston City News has sent an enquiry to the city, questioning the reasons behind the request to halt Better Primrose from providing its service for free, as well as the monitoring process for the newly appointed contractor. No comment was received at the time of going to print.