The contract for leased municipal compactor trucks expired in November, and a new contract can only be signed once the 2026/2027 budget is approved.

There is currently no allocation in the capital budget for a new lease or for the purchase of much-needed vehicles.

The adjustment budget will be tabled before council at the end of February, but it remains unclear whether funds will be allocated to bolster the municipal refuse fleet.

During months of labour unrest, solid waste employees refused to use the leased fleet because the contract had been negotiated by the former municipal manager.

Tensions within the municipality reached fever pitch with the fatal shooting of municipal electrician Tshepo Maseko, who was killed by external security guards hired to protect municipal buildings and staff during strikes in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

After tensions subsided, solid waste employees relaxed their stance and resumed using the vehicles.

Of the 12 vehicles previously available, five have since been withdrawn from service due to the contract’s expiration.

With only seven vehicles remaining, refuse collection has been severely impacted, forcing employees to work excessive overtime to maintain basic services.

In Gholfsig, refuse was only collected after midnight earlier this week.

In Kanonkop, where refuse trucks were previously seen between 06:00 and 07:00 on Wednesdays, collections have again been pushed as late as 20:00 this week.

Residents are livid, as they are forced to retrieve their green wheelie bins late at night to prevent theft.

The lack of functioning street lights adds an unnecessary element of danger for residents collecting bins in pitch-dark streets.

The shortage of refuse collection vehicles has also led to a sharp increase in illegal dumping across the municipal area.

Gholfsig residents have already signed a petition demanding action from the municipality, with another petition currently being prepared.

DA ward councillor for Gholfsig, Elsi Vermooten, has also launched a social media campaign urging residents to submit written complaints to Municipal Manager Mandla Mnguni in an effort to obtain relief.

Vermooten said the current financial situation, in which ratepayers are effectively keeping the municipality afloat, “is unsustainable.”