Frustrated residents call for rates boycott over ongoing refuse crisis

Residents from Merlewood, Marburg, Port Shepstone, and Umtentweni to Hibberdene are frustrated at Ray Nkonyeni Municipality’s (RNM) failure to collect refuse for several weeks.

“For more than a month, the northern depot has faced challenges in refuse collection. All compactor vehicles are inoperative. The reason is the inadequate servicing of vehicles and an absence of regular maintenance,” said Nazir Shaikh, chairperson of the North Cluster Ratepayers’ Association.

“During the four-month strike, we received no services, and now we find ourselves in a similar predicament. Enough is enough. It’s time for us as ratepayers to consider a complete rates boycott, as all our previous attempts to secure reliable services from RNM have proven fruitless.”

Ward 17 councillor Ajith Rajaram said it is sad that residents are suffering to get service delivery.

“Refuse bags are not collected and officials at RNM don’t care. I was recently informed a compactor is parked at a mechanical workshop for the past three years, awaiting repairs. On Tuesday last week, this vehicle still remained at this workshop, unrepaired. Why has this vehicle not been repaired?”

Fathima Moosa, chairperson of the Marburg Ratepayers’ Association said Marburg is the worst affected.

“Both in residential and industrial areas, services are poor. It is frustrating that at the end of every collection day, residents have to pick up their torn bags from the streets. If one goes around Marburg, one can see the decay with litter, potholes, uncut verges and non-working street lights. As the ratepayers association, we demand answers from the municipality.”

Sal Musa, from the Albersville Ratepayers’ Association said the repeated excuse that municipal refuse trucks have broken down is unacceptable.

“It is up to the municipality to make alternative arrangements and to ensure that refuse is picked up. I can understand a day’s delay, but several weeks, there are no excuses. The piles of rubbish near two schools in Albersville are rotting and the smell is disgusting. This poses a health risk to learners.”

At a recent meeting of RNM, the council approved the budget for 2025/2026. This budget includes a 4.4% increase in rates and taxes, as well as a 6.5% increase in refuse collection fees.

RNM spokesperson, Nomusa Zulu, said the municipality acknowledges the problems regarding the provision of service delivery.

“Most of the issues are as a result of constant breakdown of equipment. The municipality is in the process of acquiring the necessary instruments to mediate this, and affected ward councillors have been informed. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience which has been caused, and will endeavour to catch up with the backlog.”

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