The municipality is yet to discuss options for waste collection, as it only has four trucks working in Vereeniging, Vanderbijlpark, and parts of Sebokeng.

The clean-up is driven by residents throwing their uncollected waste at the entrance of the Sedibeng District Municipality’s office on Monday afternoon (26/5).

Previously, residents disrupted the Emfuleni service delivery and revenue enhancement summit, which took place two weeks ago, by dumping their uncollected rubbish in front of the Market Street entrance of the hall.

Residents dumped their uncollected rubbish in front of the Market Street entrance of the hall. Photo: X/DA Gauteng

“Income for waste collection has been low in the municipality, and only seven wards are paying,” said Emfuleni municipal spokesperson, Makhosonke Sangweni. “The municipality, businesses, and province are organising a clean-up to target the main hotspots in the municipality.”

“The municipality has 25 trucks that are on breakdown.”

Sedibeng Ster reports the DA has intensified its criticism of the Emfuleni municipality’s deteriorating waste management, labelling the situation a “complete collapse” and a direct threat to public health.

The recent protest at the Sedibeng offices underscores the residents’ desperation. According to reports, the garbage had been left to rot in neighbourhoods for over five months, prompting residents to take drastic action.

“Frustrated by weeks of uncollected garbage, residents took matters into their own hands by dumping refuse outside the municipal offices,” said Emfuleni FF Plus spokesperson, Gerda Senekal.

“The protest highlighted ongoing service delivery issues in the area, particularly the lack of regular waste collection. Government officials responded quickly, sending cleaning personnel to remove the trash in a matter of hours.”

This infuriated residents even more, who asked why regular waste collection wasn’t treated with the same urgency. Many were upset that officials didn’t take action until after a public demonstration, she said.

Residents were upset that trucks swiftly cleaned up the area. Photo: X/DA Gauteng

IOL reports that ActionSA has called for Emfuleni to be placed under mandatory administration. The party said years of financial mismanagement, collapsing infrastructure, and failed service delivery have pushed the municipality beyond the point of recovery without urgent national intervention.

A proposal was formally submitted to the Gauteng Legislature’s Cogta committee, urging the Portfolio Committee and Premier Panyaza Lesufi to act swiftly.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame cg