The wheelie bin nightmare that hit Gholfsig two months ago has now spilled over to Dennesig and Kanonkop.

Residents of the two neighbourhoods did not have their garbage removed at 6:00 on Wednesday as usual, but only today.

Rubbish lying along the streets this morning was evidence that the so-called “sakgrawers” had taken garbage from the green wheelie bins in the dark of night and left it on the sidewalks.

There was still hope last night that the garbage would be removed, with councillor Juanita Mentz of the Freedom Front asking residents to leave their bins outside.

“They are running a little late but will still come to Dennesig. Please be patient with our team; they sometimes work until two in the morning.”

According to councillor Mentz, there are only four trucks available.

This morning, garbage trucks were seen in Kanonkop at 6:00 and much later in Dennesig.

There is evidence, in a black book found at a house in Protea Street, that the theft of green wheelie bins is big business.

According to notes in the book, the stolen bins are sold for up to R200.

This means that residents cannot leave their bins outside at night.

In other words, the garbage is not removed.

According to councillor Elsie Vermooten, garbage in Gholfsig was removed at around nine o’clock in the evening.

You can’t just sit and wait for the garbage truck to arrive one day, so you can store your bin safely, can you?

On top of that, street lights are not working, which means residents have to go out in the pitch dark of night and in the early hours of the morning to retrieve their bins.

The bad news is that the situation could continue for another two months, according to councillor Johan Dyason.

He said he would visit the responsible officials on Friday morning to get clarity on the situation.

Part of a temporary solution could be to inform residents in advance when the garbage will be removed.

There will be exceptional cases, but in the past residents were told, “Put your bin out at six o’clock because we start removing the garbage.”

Why can’t it be done now?

It has also become clear in the past week that councillors are being misinformed by officials and workers.

Councillor Dyason announced in an emergency group this week that the Hertzog Street water problems had been sorted out, only to later admit, with egg on his face, that this was not the case.

Last night, councillor Mentz was excited about the garbage that would be removed within moments. This morning, she also had egg on her face.

And the worst of all? You pay for a service that is not provided.

The reasoning could be that there is a service, even though it is late.

It does not help to remove garbage at night. Residents are not going to put their bins out because they will be stolen.

The nightmare residents are now living with started with bad management.

Gerhard Rheeder reported earlier: “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.”

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

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