Buffalo City Metro (BCM) has added 10 new refuse removal trucks to their fleet.
This comes at a time when the metro has been accused of neglecting to collect in some communities.
The new trucks were delivered last week and have started working in and around the metro.
BCM spokesman Thandy Matebese confirmed this, saying the metro had been having challenges of refuse removal backlogs. “Ten trucks were delivered on Friday last week and have started doing work around the metro,” said Matebese.
He said the delays in refuse collection were due to a number of reasons like mechanical breakdown of trucks and other issues.
“It is believed the additional hired trucks will assist the metro in alleviating the backlogs.”
The trucks were not an outright purchase for BCM but were especially hired to do the work.
Recently residents in townships like Nompumelelo, Duncan Village, Mzamomhle and Mdantsane, as well as some suburbs have complained about collection delays.
In some areas rubbish was blocking roads, forcing the community to make alternatives. Community leaders were also using Expanded Public Works Programme workers to help clean the streets.
BCM ward 29 councillor Makaya Bopi said the delay in refuse collection was a health hazard.
Bopi’s ward incorporates Nompumelelo township, where many residents have been complaining.
“There was pressure from the ward councillors for the metro to act quickly and find alternative plans. People’s needs must come first because these are people we are serving and representing.”
But Nompumelelo resident, Andrew Tanda, said the situation was still bad in their community.
“These vehicles must be dedicated to the communities. We are the ones who are suffering because we inhale all the dirt from the rubbish dumps. Our areas are filthy,” said Tanda.
Ducats community leader Lungani Sanqela said this was a good plan but felt the timing was questionable as the elections were nearing.
He said people had been living in squalor for many years. “We don't want these trucks to add numbers, they must come and do the work they are hired to do. People in my community have started burning rubbish themselves and that is a health hazard,” said Sanqela.
Mdantsane South African National Civic Organisation leader Xolisa Vuso said BCM was not communicating their problems with residents.
“The delivery of these trucks is news to us as the municipality constantly fails to connect with its people. We welcome them though, with the hope that they will do the work,” said Vuso. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
New refuse removal trucks added to sort out collection backlog
This comes at a time when the metro has been accused of neglecting to collect in some communities.
The new trucks were delivered last week and have started working in and around the metro.
BCM spokesman Thandy Matebese confirmed this, saying the metro had been having challenges of refuse removal backlogs. “Ten trucks were delivered on Friday last week and have started doing work around the metro,” said Matebese.
He said the delays in refuse collection were due to a number of reasons like mechanical breakdown of trucks and other issues.
“It is believed the additional hired trucks will assist the metro in alleviating the backlogs.”
The trucks were not an outright purchase for BCM but were especially hired to do the work.
Recently residents in townships like Nompumelelo, Duncan Village, Mzamomhle and Mdantsane, as well as some suburbs have complained about collection delays.
In some areas rubbish was blocking roads, forcing the community to make alternatives. Community leaders were also using Expanded Public Works Programme workers to help clean the streets.
BCM ward 29 councillor Makaya Bopi said the delay in refuse collection was a health hazard.
Bopi’s ward incorporates Nompumelelo township, where many residents have been complaining.
“There was pressure from the ward councillors for the metro to act quickly and find alternative plans. People’s needs must come first because these are people we are serving and representing.”
But Nompumelelo resident, Andrew Tanda, said the situation was still bad in their community.
“These vehicles must be dedicated to the communities. We are the ones who are suffering because we inhale all the dirt from the rubbish dumps. Our areas are filthy,” said Tanda.
Ducats community leader Lungani Sanqela said this was a good plan but felt the timing was questionable as the elections were nearing.
He said people had been living in squalor for many years. “We don't want these trucks to add numbers, they must come and do the work they are hired to do. People in my community have started burning rubbish themselves and that is a health hazard,” said Sanqela.
Mdantsane South African National Civic Organisation leader Xolisa Vuso said BCM was not communicating their problems with residents.
“The delivery of these trucks is news to us as the municipality constantly fails to connect with its people. We welcome them though, with the hope that they will do the work,” said Vuso. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
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