Central SA
Mangaung metro apologises for disrupted refuse collection─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 14:12 Wed, 25 Mar 2026
Mangaung's city manager has issued a public apology to residents for the disruption in refuse collection over the past two to three days.
The metro promised refuse collection could resume on Wednesday (25/3) once diesel becomes available. It assured residents recovery plans would begin immediately.
All refuse collection was suspended on Tuesday due to a lack of fuel for garbage trucks.
Officials are working closely with suppliers to secure diesel while negotiating fair pricing within the legal framework, to ensure that refuse collection can resume without further delays.
“I want to apologise for the lack of refuse removal in the past two to three days because of a shortage of fuel,” said Bloemfontein’s city manager Sello More. “Due to strikes in the Middle East, fuel suppliers have been severely affected.
Recovery plan
“Price manipulators attempted to force instant increases for fuel, which the law does not allow outside the government-regulated framework. We have refused such demands and are engaging in negotiations, but diesel will be available tomorrow, and we will commence a recovery plan immediately.”
The metro provided a detailed update for household refuse collection, effective once diesel becomes available. The first shift will cover 30 households in Vista Park Veterans, 916 in Vista Park, 605 in Ehrlich Park, 122 in Orangesig, 1,045 in Uitsig, and 1,092 households in Fauna.
The second will serve 810 residents in Pellissier East, 57 in Baysvalley, 329 in Pentagon Park, 579 in Pellissier West, 250 in Hilton, 19 in Navalsig, 104 in Parkwest, and 68 in Willows.
Meanwhile, Mangaung’s landfill sites continue to face serious security challenges. OFM News reported weak access control has turned some sites into hubs of criminal activity. Violence, territorial disputes, and unlicensed residential structures are becoming increasingly common.
This issue was highlighted during a three-day waste management conference in Bloemfontein, hosted by the department of forestry, fisheries and environmental affairs and attended by national, provincial, and local government officials.
It focused on sustainable waste management under the theme Waste Infrastructure Investment towards Equitable Sustainable Waste Services and Circular Economy.
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