The DA has called on the City of Ekurhuleni to suspend the head of department for environmental resources and waste management.
This followed the near metro-wide collapse of waste and refuse removal services in the City of Ekurhuleni.
Adv Philip de Lange, the DA leader in the metro, called on city manager Dr Imogen Mashazi and executive mayor Mzwandile Masina to suspend Faith Mabindiza. He also called for the removal of Clr Khosi Mabaso as the MMC for environment and waste management.
De Lange claimed Mabindiza had been restricting information and communication to ward councillors with regards to service delivery, severely hampering councillors’ ability to effectively assist the communities they serve.
“In fact, she has left numerous service delivery groups, further preventing information such as collection times and backlog updates from reaching ward councillors. This subsequently leaves residents in the dark regarding complaints and issues which they have escalated to the relevant councillor,” de Lange said.
“Furthermore, Ms Mabindiza is alleged to have left her position in Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality under a cloud of controversy. She also worked as a depot manager in Kempton Park, which saw the collapse of waste in that area, before she was appointed as head of department. It’s further alleged she does not have the necessary qualifications to effectively perform her job.”
He said the DA would write a letter to the City manager requesting an investigation into this matter.
“Due to the increasing number of allegations against Ms Mabindiza and her inability to effectively execute her job, which has led to the near-collapse of the refuse removal services across the City, we believe that the City should immediately suspend her and launch an investigation into these matters.
“Mayor Masina must remove MMC Mabaso from her position as she has failed to hold Ms Mabindiza to account for her poor performance in the waste department at the expense of service delivery to the people.
“Skip bins have only been collected once this year according to residents, who are growing increasingly tired of the lack of service delivery by the City,” said de Lange.
In response to the DA’s calls, Themba Gadebe, spokesperson for the City, said: “The City of Ekurhuleni acknowledges the challenges experienced recently with regards to waste removal in Kempton Park.
“However, the City has made tremendous progress in stabilising the services in both Kempton Park and other affected areas in Ekurhuleni, and waste collection is currently continuing smoothly across the City.
“The City apologies to all residents for the inconvenience caused.”
