Lack of refuse collection a headache for residents of Ward 28 Ekurhuleni

by Cllr. Mary Goby — DA Councillor in Ward 28, Ekurhuleni

Date: 23 April 2021

Release: Immediate

Type: Media statement

Residents of Ward 28 in the ANC-led Coalition* City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) have been left frustrated by the lack of refuse collection from the City’s Waste Department. They have been without these services for over four days, meaning that day after day they take out their wheelie in the hope they will be collected, only to be left frustrated when they have to bring them back inside filled with uncollected refuse. In the meantime, waste continues to build up.

Equally frustrating has been the lack of communication from the Department who have failed to provide any reason as to why refuse bins have not been collected, nor provide an indication as to when they will be collected.

There are numerous complexes in the Ward with around 130 units per complex paying up to R17 000 in rates and taxes per month. The lack of refuse removal is now posing a major health risk to residents and their immediate neighbours.

It is completely unacceptable that the ANC-led Coalition does not provide these basic services to rate-paying residents in the City. Unfortunately, Ward 28 is not unique in this regard, as many communities suffer from a lack of refuse collection due to gross mismanagement by the Department resulting in massive waste collection backlogs.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Ekurhuleni will not let up until services are adequately delivered to the City’s residents. The Party will continue to put pressure on the Department and ensure that they are held to account in rendering waste collection services.

*Coalition Partners: African Independent Congress (AIC), Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), Patriotic Alliance (PA) and Independent Ratepayers Association of South Africa (IRASA)

Cllr. Mary Goby

DA Councillor in Ward 28, Ekurhuleni