Closure of Ekurhuleni’s landfill sites leads to substantial waste collection backlog
by Cllr. Amanda Davison — DA Member of the Environmental Resources and Waste Management in Ekurhuleni
Date: 05 February 2021
Release: Immediate
Type: Media statement
In addition to load shedding, residents of Ekurhuleni can also expect to be without waste collection services this weekend due to mismanagement by the Department of Environmental Resources and Waste Management Services under the leadership of ANC MMC, Ald. Khosi Mabaso, and HOD, Faith Wotshela.
The snaking queue that formed outside the Weltevreden Landfill Site in Brakpan, yesterday, is a symptom of this total mismanagement, as the ANC Coalition-led Metro, have dragged their feet in ensuring that other landfill sites across the City open.
Sites such as Chloorkop, Rietfontein, Rooikraal and subsequently Weltevreden remain closed due to disputes with service providers over non-payments, while Simmer & Jack in Germiston is currently only open for Council-owned trucks.
This leaves Platkop, in Vosloorus, as the only open and functional landfill site, causing not only long queues outside the facility, but a massive backlog in waste collection across the City.
Communication from MMC Mabaso, claims that the waste collection backlog will be addressed over the weekend. This is completely unrealistic given the limited accessibility of landfill sites in the Metro.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Ekurhuleni finds it disturbing that the ANC Coalition-led Metro has allowed this waste collection crisis to occur. It highlights the incompetence of the Department, specifically under MMC Mabaso and HOD Wotshela’s leadership.
It is unfortunate that the DA’s Motion of No Confidence, calling for the MMC’s removal, was dismissed. Under a more competent leader, residents would not have to endure these service delivery failures.
The DA will continue to ensure that the Department is held to account so that landfill sites are once again operational and residents do not have to endure any further waste collection backlogs as a result of the incompetence of the ANC led administration.
See attached video: Queue outside Weltevreden Land Fill Site on 4th of February 2021
Cllr. Amanda Davison
DA Member of the Environmental Resources and Waste Management in Ekurhuleni
