Tshwane service delivery returns to normal
“Impressive progress was made during the long weekend to reduce the backlog on service interruptions and services will be ramped up in the coming week."
After three weeks of interrupted services due to protest action, some residents of Tshwane this week saw signs of services returning to normal.
This comes after workers downed tools calling for a 6.25% benchmarking increment that was due to them in the year 2017/2018.
“Impressive progress was made during the long weekend to reduce the backlog on service interruptions,” said metro spokesperson Selby Bokaba.
“Services will be ramped up in respect of water and electricity distribution, water interruptions, sewer blockages as well as refuse collection as the week progresses.”
On Friday, the metro tabled a proposal to labour unions Imatu and Samwu aimed at breaking the logjam.
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The unions then undertook a consultation process with their members on Monday, on whether or not to accept the offer on the staggered payment of the benchmarking collective agreement monies.
“The city remains confident the workers would accept the offer and return to work and expedite service delivery to our communities,” said Bokaba.
Bokaba said there would not be any additional capacity for collection of bins to clear the backlog, which meant that normal schedule for collection would happen on the days scheduled for collection.
“Residents are, therefore, advised to take out their bins as per their normal schedule,” he said.
Various garden sites, starting from the inside to the outside, were being collected and communities were urged to start using the garden waste sites and refrain from dumping outside.
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The A Re Yeng bus services resumed operations on Tuesday morning, and a decision was still pending as to when the Tshwane bus service would be back on the road.
Progress made during the weekend:
Electricity distribution
– 92 cases were resolved regarding power interruptions affecting hospices, hospitals, potable water and sewer pump stations and wastewater treatment plants
– 28 medium voltage power interruptions
– 34 low voltage block area interruptions
– 482 cases resolved of outstanding single consumer power interruptions
Water distribution
– 88 major water leaks (hydrants sidewalk leaks and burst water meters) resolved
– 143 leaking water meters attended to
– 10 area water interruptions and 316 sewer blockages were resolved.
Head administrator Mpho Nawa said he was relatively pleased with the progress made during the long weekend and hoped the backlog would be expeditiously cleared so that services could return to normal.
“A lot of cleaning up has taken place in various areas of the city where litter was dumped on the streets. Essential services did a splendid job at the weekend repairing and restoring services. Although some cases are yet to be resolved and are still pending, we are gradually ramping up the speed at which we are providing services,” he said.
“This is work in progress and we are making significant strides. We wish to once more offer our sincerest apologies to our residents for the inconvenience caused. We live in hope that we will be back to full strength before the end of this week.”
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