Angry residents who have threatened to withhold paying either their Pikitup charges or their rates, have been warned not to do this as it will put them in dispute with the city and could lead to services being disrupted.
Ward 104 councillor Mike Wood urged residents not to do this and gave them some pointers on what to do in this situation since the Pikitup strike seems set to continue for some time to come.
“We are going into municipal elections and all sorts of tensions are coming up. Pikitup has been using outside contractors to remove the refuse, often working late at night to avoid intimidation,” said Wood. He said that sadly it has turned violent and lives have been put in danger.
He strongly recommended residents to recycle, re-use and reduce their refuse where possible. He said that residents can take their refuse to Pikitup Garden sites that are close in proximity which are either at Victory Road in Greenside which is off Barry Hertzog and in Bryanston, William Nicol corner, Ballyclare Drive. He confirmed that Pikitup is clearing these sites.
Wood said the councillors are unfortunately not receiving the schedules stipulating when and where the Pikitup teams will operate after hours.
There are a number of resident associations that are arranging their own refuse collection. Wood urged residents to not use the cheapest contractor if possible and to use their discretion when selecting one, due to the huge issue with illegal dumping throughout the city.
“Should we get further news, we will communicate it with the residents,” said Wood.
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