A waste removal truck belonging to a contractor was torched in Bredell on Saturday morning, bringing to a halt all waste removal for the day.
The incident could also have a ripple effect on waste removal in the city.
According to ward councillor André du Plessis, the incident happened at the intersection of 3rd Avenue and 4th Road.
He said the culprits could have been disgruntled Ekurhuleni waste removal staff who are not happy that contractors had been employed by the metro to assist with the embattled service. This still has to be confirmed.
Du Plessis, who is also the the DA shadow MMC for environmental resources and waste management, requested the City of Ekurhuleni to leave no stone unturned in investigating this malicious and cowardly act to bring the perpetrators to book.
“There were extensive discussions on Friday between the metro and the appropriate labour forums to resolve disputes related to the fact that the City has been forced to employ the services of outside contractors to assist with the rapidly collapsing waste removal service delivery within large parts of the City, plus curtail the exorbitantly escalating costs of overtime within the waste department,” du Plessis said.
🚨[ALERT WASTE COLLECTION TRUCK ON] FIRE
— CITY OF EKURHULENI (@City_Ekurhuleni) February 1, 2020
A truck belonging to a service provider was set alight, affecting waste collection in the area. The scheduled waste collection services in the area have been stopped for today. pic.twitter.com/fDa8PoCaGQ
“Private waste removal contractors were brought in last week to assist with ever increasing waste removal backlogs. However, they had to be withdrawn due to threats and physical assaults from Ekurhuleni waste department workers, hence the scheduled meeting on Friday.
“I am of the opinion that the head of this department, Faith Mabindisa, is incapable of managing her department and should do the honourable thing to resign and allow the city the opportunity of employing a competent person to manage this very demanding department.
“Many political parties responded to the mayor’s speech at the council meeting on Thursday, requesting him to step in and assist in resolving the waste removal and grass cutting crisis currently plaguing the city.
The waste collection backlog in some parts of Kempton Park, Boksburg, Springs and Germiston will be attended to tomorrow.
— CITY OF EKURHULENI (@City_Ekurhuleni) February 1, 2020
Residents whose waste was not collected in theses areas are advised to ensure their bins are outside for collection.
CoE apologies for the inconvenience. pic.twitter.com/o4KeXNIrkV
“The grass cutting tenders, which also fall within the mandate of Mabindisa, have not been finalised since July last year. We are already halfway through the financial year as well as grass cutting season, with no positive action by the head of department for environmental resources and waste management department,” added du Plessis.
Mike Waters, MP and constituency head for Kempvale, said: “Kempton Park has not had a reliable and consistent refuse collection service for nearly two years now.
“Firstly, because of lack of a maintenance plan by the City of Ekurhuleni to ensure their waste removal fleet is operational; and secondly, when the City finally brings in private contractors to do their job, its own employees allegedly set the trucks alight. We need a rescue plan.”
The City of Ekurhuleni did not respond to Kempton Express’ queries sent on Friday when the first reports of attacks on contractors and the damaging of their vehicles surfaced.
