The Mogale City Local Municipality’s (MCLM) Waste Management Services is currently experiencing operational difficulties after multiple employees recently tested positive for Covid-19, which ” … tragically saw the loss of two lives,” explained Refilwe Mahlangu, MCLM’s Media and Public Relations liaison.
As a result, residents will experience a disruption in the scheduled supply of essential services in the week starting on Monday, June 28.
“Last week the entire waste collection team was sent for testing, and with results coming through, a few are testing positive. This not only calls for isolation of the workforce but also a plan to deal with the major risk and priority areas. For now, as the Delta Covid-19 variant wreaks havoc on the West Rand, which has also become Gauteng’s second-highest infected region, the municipality is pressed to prioritise waste collection and disposal at government hospitals, with skip bins filling up at a quick rate. Whilst we are working closely with Health Services to get immunisation for these frontline workers, truck drivers from other municipal departments have also been roped in to aid as we are pulling together the needed workforce for continued supply of services.”
The MCLM is not sure when normal operations will resume.
“We will keep the public and stakeholders informed on developments on our website and through other communications channels,” Refilwe said.
“The municipality also wishes to send its heartfelt condolences to the affected families and colleagues of employees who succumbed to the pandemic. We also wish to salute our waste workers who, on a daily basis, put their health at risk under trying conditions.”
