VANDERBIJLPARK – Frustration boiled over as dozens of angry residents staged a protest outside the Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) offices this morning, demanding action over uncollected refuse.
Furious residents dumped piles of uncollected refuse at the gates of ELM headquarters in Vanderbijlpark to highlight their grievance.
Ster spoke to several visibly upset residents who accused ELM of failing to provide a basic service.
Residents claim their neighbourhoods have gone weeks without refuse collection, forcing families to live amid rotting waste, unbearable stench, and growing health risks.
When the Ster team arrived, angry residents carrying black refuse bags were seen offloading rubbish from their vehicles under the watchful eye of municipal by-law officers who were present as tensions flared.
“We have been patient with the municipality for weeks now, but they are clearly taking us for granted. We pay for these services, it’s not like they are doing us a favour,” said one resident.
Mzwandile Skhosana accused the municipality of neglecting its responsibilities.
“We can stomach bad roads, among other issues, but stinking trash is a violation of human rights. Just one week of uncollected waste is bad enough. Now imagine weeks with piled-up plastics in my yard, attracting rats. This is uncalled for,” he said.
ELM spokesperson, Makhosonke Sangweni, said refuse is being collected.
“Refuse is being collected but not as regularly as expected for reasons known to all residents, especially those who refuse to pay for services that they receive. We have started to buy a fleet, and we think we will be ready by the end of January to collect regularly,” he said.
