ANGRY residents in Swazi Inn, Tembisa, blockaded the streets with garbage as revenge for the delays by service providers in collecting waste.
The City of Ekurhuleni said in a statement that it has deployed additional resources to deal with waste removal backlogs in parts of Kempton Park and Tembisa following the recent withdrawal of a service provider due to a misunderstanding around issues of payment.
The Clean - Your - Kasi, Manje! Namhlanje! Campaign seems to not have been fast enough for these residents.
"We understood that there would be delays because they are changing service providers or whatnot, but it has been a week, almost two, to be precise, and the bins are smelling already," Resident Winnie Moyo (31) said.
Another resident said there needs to be better planning because this can be detrimental to their health, while areas such as Winnie Mandela, Mehlareng, and Phomolong had their waste collected.
"Our Councillor told us there'll be delays. What we do in the meantime is neatly put the garbage next to the pole at the corner of the street to make it easier for collection. Yes, the service is slow. However, we can also meet them halfway while they're still busy with negotiations," Rebecca (40), a resident from Mehlareng, said.
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Although some communities are trying to meet the City of Ekurhuleni halfway by packing up the trash neatly, stray dogs and rats tear open the plastic bags in search of food, leaving the rubbish exposed to flies, mosquitoes and other insects that spread germs.
MMC for Environment and Waste Management Service Leshaka Manamela said they had to intervene in the current contractual standoff.
"The Clean-Your-Kasi Campaign is an effective tool to mobilise state resources to provide accelerated service delivery to our people," he added.
"We're using internal staff and council equipment in an effort to build a capable state that is not dependent on contractors. We thank the residents for their patience, and we are committed to clear the backlog as soon as possible," Manamela said.
