Johannesburg - The streets of uMlazi are piling up with filth as the local business forum and the uMkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans Association block refuse removal contractors - because they want to be considered for the work.
The veterans and Umlazi Business Forum were expected to meet eThekwini Municipality officials on Monday to resume talks after a meeting last week failed to resolve the issue. The whole of uMlazi has been affected and municipal leaders were expected to visit on Monday.
The veterans allegedly pointed firearms at refuse collectors last week because they insisted that no waste would be collected while talks were in progress.
Zamindlela “Zam Zam” Mbhele, chairman of the veterans’ association in the eThekwini region, said they were tired of being overlooked for work or business opportunities and said nobody was looking out for “struggle soldiers”.
“There will be no refuse collected while we are in discussions,” he said. “You know there is a Military Veterans Act which says some projects must be set aside for the soldiers, but no one is looking out for uMkhonto weSizwe.
“As much as this affects the public, they need to understand that people are angry. These officials must take uMkhonto weSizwe seriously when we plead and ask for opportunities. South Africa is free because we fought for this country, but now that the country is in our hands, other people we don’t know are benefiting,” he said.
He said a decision by the veterans and the business forum had been taken to halt refuse collection as they had apparently been promised work as subcontractors last year, but this did not materialise.
“The business community of uMlazi is unhappy because they are not being involved, but they were told that whenever opportunities open they will be engaged. Not even one subcontractor is from uMlazi,” he said.
Mbhele said there were seven subcontractors who worked with the main contractor who had won the tender for refuse collection.
He said, on average, each subcontractor was paid R30 000 a month.
Municipal spokeswoman, Tozi Mthethwa, urged residents to keep their refuse bags within their property boundaries.
“The refuse removal service in uMlazi township has been disrupted this week due to a group of people that have threatened contractors servicing the area.
“The municipality urges residents to keep all refuse within their property boundaries. Refuse bags can only be taken out when the collection trucks arrive.”
She said that refuse removal had started in some areas on Monday but that it would take time to cover the whole area.
“The City is working around the clock to resolve the situation and is engaging with all affected stakeholders to ensure that residents are not further inconvenienced.”
The Star