A quick and lasting solution for the refuse removal problems in Kempton Park is being sought by the City of Ekurhuleni.
Executive mayor Mzwandile Masina addressed the recent crisis in his State of the City (SOCA) address in Germiston on March 27.
“Because we are a City that is not ashamed to take responsibility and are frank about our limitations and the challenges that confront us, we are able to stand before you today and report that we have been plagued with reports from citizens about the lack of waste collection, in Kempton Park in particular,” said Masina.
“This naturally has adverse implications for the environment and the health of residents in the community. It must be clear to our people that we are not only aware of this problem, but that we are working very hard to ensure that a comprehensive turnaround strategy that can ensure a quick and lasting solution, is being developed.
“Our commitment to ensuring a clean City is evidenced by the efforts that we have been making in upgrading waste disposal sites in Weltevreden, Bedfordview, Benoni, Boksburg, Edenvale, Esselen Park, Germiston, Kempton Park and Nigel.”
Masina said as of March, there is a campaign aimed at the eradication of all illegal dumping hot spot areas in all wards. Placement of walk-in bulk containers has commenced in selected informal areas throughout the City.
This programme will be rolled out to strategic areas in all informal settlements by June 2021. The intention is to provide an upscaled, once a week waste collection service.
For community-based recycling co-operatives, tuk-tuks are being distributed across the City. The City has acquired 70 tuk-tuks to assist with the waste management programme.
These tuk-tuks are not only cost-efficient, but they also assist with the reduction of the carnage on our roads, exacerbated by a high number of reclaimers on the roads. Masina said tuk-tuks deal with waste management in informal settlements, where mini-disposal centres will be established. But more than this, they will create a sustainable source of income for the trained operators who will be driving them, thereby making a meaningful contribution towards the local economy.
In intensifying cleaning campaigns and access of households to refuse removal, the City delivered 240-litre bins to 209 297 households.
“We have also conceptualised a plan of integrating the Clean City Initiative into a new programme which is already being implemented in the current financial year.”
