By Nuala Justen & Amogelang Morolong
Globe Post Interns (UJ Students)
Picture: City of Johannesburg (Pikitup)
Refuse collection is gradually returning to parts of Lenasia South after weeks of disruptions left residents waiting for Pikitup trucks and relying on community WhatsApp groups for updates.
By Wednesday morning, August 12, residents reported that collection trucks were still operating in the area as Pikitup continued efforts to clear the backlog.
“Seems like there is still a Pikitup truck in the South. The streets have been sent to them,” one resident reported.
Community member, Kishore Badal, also urged residents to put their bins out as collections continued.
“Pikitup will finish their rounds in Lenasia South this morning. Please take your bins out this morning,” Badal said.
The delays form part of wider disruptions to waste collection across Johannesburg after casual workers employed through Pikitup service providers protested, demanding permanent employment or absorption into Pikitup. According to GroundUp News, there are two overlapping problems. Firstly, Casual/contract workers – “Employ us permanently and give us comparable employment rights and conditions” and secondly, the permanent/municipal workers. This is a broader dispute involving promised salary adjustments/payments and the City’s financial position.
Pikitup said its permanent employees were not on strike. However, blockades at several depot entrances prevented employees and collection vehicles from operating normally. Pikitup is in the eye of a casual worker storm.
The casual-worker protests have blocked access to major depots, preventing trucks and even non-striking permanent employees from getting out. Depots affected have included Avalon, Orange Farm, Marlboro, Randburg, Roodepoort and Waterval, causing serious collection backlogs across Johannesburg, including Lenasia South, Orange Farm and surrounding areas.”
Between August 3 and 6, six of the City’s 12 depots – Marlboro, Randburg, Waterval, Roodepoort, Lenasia South, Orange Farm and Avalon – experienced disruptions, resulting in refuse backlogs across several communities.
In Lenasia South, the situation was further complicated by a mechanical breakdown. Badal previously told residents that collections had been completed in Extensions 2 and 4 and part of Extension 1 before a hydraulic pipe burst on a collection truck in Kingfisher Street.
“They had a hydraulic pipe burst on the truck while in Kingfisher Street and had to go to Midrand to have it repaired. This is what is causing the holdup,” Badal said.
However, some residents disputed reports that certain areas had already been serviced. Shireen Hassen said: “Pikitup did not come to Ext 2.”
The uncertainty prompted residents to repeatedly request real-time information about the whereabouts of collection trucks, with some asking neighbours to alert the community whenever Pikitup vehicles were spotted.
Meanwhile, last week, Cllr Chris Rohlssen of the ACDP (African Christian Democratic Party), made a public statement calling for resolution to this crisis.
“The ACDP understands that Pikitup has some challenges right now, but this is no excuse. Residents pay for refuse collection and should receive the service they need. Pikitup needs to resolve its labour dispute. Casual workers have been striking for permanent positions.”
The waste crisis has also drawn criticism of the City’s response. Helen Zille accused the Johannesburg leadership of failing to ensure residents received the services they pay for.
Following repeat complaints by residents across the City, Deputy Mayor, Loyiso Masuku, apologised to residents on 5 August, saying that City teams had been working to clear the backlog.
“Disruption and waste collection are an unfortunate situation. Since Monday, we have been on the ground to clear the backlog,” Masuku said.
JMPD was brought in to provide security while Pikitup intensified its recovery operations.
Although collections have resumed in parts of Lenasia South, the extent of the backlog remains unclear. Pikitup has not released figures on how many households or collections were affected, the amount of accumulated waste or the additional cost of clearing the backlog.
No confirmed settlement with the protesting casual workers has been announced.
For Lenasia South residents, the immediate focus remains on getting outstanding bins emptied as collection teams continue working through affected streets.
