ERIK EILERTSEN of Birch Acres writes:
Some time ago it was mooted that each area would be getting a fixed day for refuse removal so that no-one has to try to remember to change the day every time we have a holiday.
This was how the system operated years ago and it was more reliable. We, Kempton Park, actually had a more reliable council before we became part of Ekurhuleni.
The Ekurhuleni web site has no explanations or instructions in this regard. In fact, there is not even a calendar for 2013 into 2014 as there has been in previous years when the calendars were renewed early in the year and overlapped two months into the following year.
It is, of course, entirely possible that they have gone back to the fixed system because we had a collection on New Year’s day. Do we put our refuse out on Wednesdays now, in my area?
On the subject of holiday period refuse removal. Much has been said along the lines of do not give Christmas gratuities but the men on the refuse wagon on January 1, all of them, blatantly soliciting said gratuities. So much for instructions to employees and residents.
The metro replies:
The refuse removal calendar remains in place until March after which it will be on fixed days.
Christmas gratuities are not allowed and residents are discouraged from providing them to employees.
However, it’s been an arduous task to achieve for the department because some residents claim that it’s their prerogative to provide gratuities to whomsoever they deem fit to, because they believe employees have done a sterling job for the year.
This unfortunately leads to expectations to the next neighbouring resident who would usually refuse because they believe they are paid for rendering services.
Residents are therefore urged to desist from providing gratuities to employees during the festive season in order to curb soliciting thereof.
