Intensified efforts of the Tshwane Waste Management Division have resulted in the collection and removal of all waste in recognised informal settlements and formal residential areas.

MMC for Environment, Waste, and Agriculture Management Obakeng Ramabodu commended the department for the 100% waste service delivery rollout.

“This milestone reflects the department’s ongoing commitment to maintaining a clean environment and ensuring that communities across Tshwane receive reliable and effective municipal services.”

Ramabodu said the achievement demonstrates the metro’s efforts to prioritise communities.

“Communities are prioritised, and the focus remains on the practical delivery of quality services, meaningful progress in improving residents’ lives becomes a reality, clean communities are safer, healthier and more dignified spaces in which to live and work.”

Ramabodu attributed this success to the commitment and dedication of frontline waste management workers, who have worked tirelessly under demanding conditions to maintain high standards of service provision.

He added that the employee-centred approach focuses on fully capacitating waste management depots and ensures workers operate in an environment that supports productivity and service excellence.

“These efforts reflect a responsive department committed to improving the quality of life of all residents through a developmental system of local government that delivers efficient, effective and affordable waste management services.”

Ramabodu said the Waste Management Division has also prioritised building internal capacity to ensure the department operates optimally while maintaining cost efficiency.

“This is evidenced by the recent acquisition of additional waste collection trucks, which has significantly improved operational efficiency and service turnaround times.”

Residents are encouraged to partner with the metro in sustaining this progress by avoiding littering, not dumping illegally, and by working together with the municipality to keep Pretoria clean.

However, concerns have been raised by some ward councillors regarding the accuracy of the 100% collection claim.

Ward 101 councillor Malcolm de Klerk said that while the metro may have reached full collection on paper, the situation on the ground remains problematic.

“Without a shadow of doubt, I can confirm that the metro claims 100% collection, but it is not all rosy,” said De Klerk.

He said residents in Ward 101 have been billed for municipal waste services since May 2025, despite many households continuing to rely on private waste collection.

“Tshwane is essentially taking money from residents who receive private waste collection services. They are paying two bills: one to a private contractor and receiving a service, and another to Tshwane and getting nothing. Ridiculous and disgusting doesn’t begin to describe the situation,” he said.

De Klerk added that he has raised questions with the mayor through council processes but has not received a response.

“I have asked high-ranking officials for answers or assistance. To date, only a handful of people have had their waste management charges reversed. In normal circumstances, a business or individual would be charged with theft,” he said.

Ward 47 councillor Lida Erasmus also questioned the claim of perfect service delivery, saying waste collection remains inconsistent in some areas.

She said over the past three weeks, she has received several complaints from residents about collections not taking place at scheduled times.

“This resulted in residents having to put their bins out for two or three days in a row while teams tried to catch up,” Erasmus said.

She added that residents have also complained about alleged bribery, claiming that some households are asked to pay to have their bins collected.

“If residents refuse to pay, their bins are simply left behind,” she said.

Erasmus further raised concerns about operational practices, alleging that waste teams are lifting three bins at a time on equipment designed for two, causing damage to bins and resulting in additional costs for the metro.

“This also inconveniences residents, who then have to report the damage and apply for replacement bins, which can take months to be delivered,” she said.

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