Cape Town - Residents in Plumstead, Fairways and Wynberg are upset over the delayed waste collections and have called on the Solid Waste Department of the City to address the ongoing issue with more urgency.
Residents said apart from unsavoury altercations with bin-pickers, the stench emanating from the bins was unbearable and often travelled through the neighbourhoods with the sun beating down on the open bins this week.
A senior Plumstead resident, who did not want to be named, said this was the third week in a row the collection truck was late and bin-pickers had been having a field day “leaving a stench to high heaven with the mess that they left behind”.
The resident said the late hour they were requested to leave their bins outside until collection was disconcerting as she was a senior citizen and had difficulty moving the wheelie bin at night because she walked with a walking stick.
“From what I understand from the Solid Waste Department, for this area, there are 30 trucks of which eight are currently operating and the remaining 22 are out of action due to maintenance. This is a very high ratio of working versus non-working trucks,” said the resident.
Fairways resident Washiela Maged said: “We have such a problem with bin-pickers and a lot of them are aggressive. They are rude, they take what they want then turn your bin over and leave what they don’t want in a complete state.”
After Covid 19-infections was previously said to be the cause for refuse collection delays and backlogs, Wynberg resident Joy Gardener said it made no sense how refuse collectors still refused to wear their masks properly when on the job.
Ursula Schenker, a Plumstead community activist and independent candidate councillor for ward 63, said she feels for the residents having to bear the brunt of the City’s inability to ensure the provision of services to communities in a sustainable manner.
Water and Waste Mayco member Xanthea Limberg said residents should be aware that there may be delays in the refuse collection service due to vehicle availability.
“All efforts are in place to ensure that the turn-around time for vehicle repairs is shortened. This includes constant follow-up with relevant service providers and quality assuring any repairs,” said Limberg.