Residents under Municipality are frustrated over delays in waste collection that goes on for weeks.
(The Post News)- The City of Ekurhuleni is grappling with a severe waste management issue, forcing residents to resort to illegal dumping or hire private companies.
Despite paying for waste collection services, residents in areas like Tembisa, Daveyton, and Kempton Park are not receiving the service delivery they pay for.
“This is not the first time garbage has not been collected. Sometimes weeks end without being collected, and it’s frustrating since we worry about our health because this garbage becomes unpleasant to inhale due to the smell, and it’s unhealthy,” said Ally Maluleke, a resident of Tembisa.
Thembani Ntshani, another resident, described the situation: “I live close to the Olifanfontein freeway, where people often resort to dumping or burning trash on the side of the road when it’s not collected. Rats are our friends, and the smell is unpleasant.
Ntshani went further to explain how the authorities are quick to issue fines for littering while not addressing the larger issue of garbage not being collected regularly.
The municipality has blamed the waste collection issues on vehicle shortages caused by mechanical problems.
However, residents and opposition parties argue that corruption and mismanagement are the true causes.
Action SA is calling for a comprehensive approach to improve waste management, including insourcing services, increasing the number of trucks, and hiring permanent workers.
They demand that the municipality address the crisis and that the provincial government intervene.
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