As a strike by solid waste workers enters its second week today, Buffalo City Metro executive mayor Alfred Mtsi has finally apologised to residents for the mess.
In a statement to the Daily Dispatch yesterday, Mtsi acknowledged that uncollected waste posed a health risk and caused “discomfort”.
He said the current shambles was caused by the bulk of garbage trucks being in the workshop for repair, as well as a sit-in by workers demanding protective gear.
Only six trucks were operational, but the solid waste department had hired another four, he explained.
Mtsi said 90% of the protective gear – including gloves, safety shoes, rain suits, overalls, duster coats and jeans – had been procured and that supply chain management was “working tirelessly” on the remainder which had been unavailable due to size issues.
“We expect the rest of the employees to go back to work and serve the people as charged by the ongoing back2basics approach.”
And, while he conceded the health risks posed by the widespread refuse piles, he condemned the dumping of refuse outside municipal buildings.
“We understand the frustration people have. However, we urge them to utilise the proper channels to voice their concerns.”
Last Sunday, Gonubie residents mobilised on social media and dumped a massive pile of garbage outside the suburb’s BCM offices.
Beacon Bay residents have followed suit and yesterday Daily Dispatch photographed two growing heaps outside the municipal building and the library next door.
Beacon Bay resident Marius Moolman, who is active on social media sites like Beacon Bay Crime Board and Crime Focus East London, said residents were “gatvol” of the unhygienic state of the suburbs.
“I loaded all the rubbish at my complex into a bakkie and dumped it at the municipality on Wednesday night. It’s a real health hazard plus we are paying for a service we are not getting.”
Moolman, who has been encouraging other residents to also dump their uncollected waste at BCM, said rubbish in “little patches” of Beacon Bay had been collected by yesterday.
Beacon Bay ward councillor Marion Mackley said that while the DA did not condone dumping at municipal offices, she understood why people had resorted to doing so.
“I think people are trying to send a message to the municipality that they have had enough,” said Mackley said.
lThe mayor said BCM would “in due course” release a new interim refuse collection schedule which would include contact numbers of supervisors for residents to call in instances of non-collection. — barbarah@dispatch.co.za
BCM mayor apologises at last for ‘discomfort’ of waste
In a statement to the Daily Dispatch yesterday, Mtsi acknowledged that uncollected waste posed a health risk and caused “discomfort”.
He said the current shambles was caused by the bulk of garbage trucks being in the workshop for repair, as well as a sit-in by workers demanding protective gear.
Only six trucks were operational, but the solid waste department had hired another four, he explained.
Mtsi said 90% of the protective gear – including gloves, safety shoes, rain suits, overalls, duster coats and jeans – had been procured and that supply chain management was “working tirelessly” on the remainder which had been unavailable due to size issues.
“We expect the rest of the employees to go back to work and serve the people as charged by the ongoing back2basics approach.”
And, while he conceded the health risks posed by the widespread refuse piles, he condemned the dumping of refuse outside municipal buildings.
“We understand the frustration people have. However, we urge them to utilise the proper channels to voice their concerns.”
Last Sunday, Gonubie residents mobilised on social media and dumped a massive pile of garbage outside the suburb’s BCM offices.
Beacon Bay residents have followed suit and yesterday Daily Dispatch photographed two growing heaps outside the municipal building and the library next door.
Beacon Bay resident Marius Moolman, who is active on social media sites like Beacon Bay Crime Board and Crime Focus East London, said residents were “gatvol” of the unhygienic state of the suburbs.
“I loaded all the rubbish at my complex into a bakkie and dumped it at the municipality on Wednesday night. It’s a real health hazard plus we are paying for a service we are not getting.”
Moolman, who has been encouraging other residents to also dump their uncollected waste at BCM, said rubbish in “little patches” of Beacon Bay had been collected by yesterday.
Beacon Bay ward councillor Marion Mackley said that while the DA did not condone dumping at municipal offices, she understood why people had resorted to doing so.
“I think people are trying to send a message to the municipality that they have had enough,” said Mackley said.
lThe mayor said BCM would “in due course” release a new interim refuse collection schedule which would include contact numbers of supervisors for residents to call in instances of non-collection. — barbarah@dispatch.co.za
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