WASTE management has been the center of attention in Ekurhuleni.
The City mayor, Sivuyile Ngodwana, has been under fire regarding the lack of service delivery, especially in Tembisa.
Ekurhuleni has been identified as a hot spot for non-collection and illegal dumping.
However, the city has come out firmly to refute the claims.
The acting Head of the Department for Environmental Resources and Waste Management, Phakamile Mbengashe, said the waste collection operations are back to normal.
“We did experience operational delays during a contractual dispute between the main contractor in the area and the city.
"However, collections are running on schedule in Tembisa, and waste collection is up to date.
“There continues to be a major problem of illegal dumping across the area, and we continue to plead with the community to work with the city to keep the area clean. We are also looking into compartmentalisation solutions to minimise the impact of excess waste,” he added.
Mbengashe said the city has not only focused on the waste removal issue in the area.
"Operations are currently underway in the Mooifontein Cemetery, which the city says will be cut and clean by the Easter Weekend," he said.
Residents of Tembisa are divided about the alleged non-collection of waste in the area.
They told Daily Sun that the municipality cannot be blamed alone.
On Friday, 1 March, the waste management workers were seen collecting the waste and others removing rubbish at the open space in Tembisa.
Sipho Hleza (49) said the municipality has its weaknesses but collects the waste.
"The truth must be told, we as the community are creating problems, especially with illegal dumping.
"We as the community must also stop the illegal dumping which is making a mess of our township and rush to criticise the municipality."
Another resident, Brenda Mpela (45), stated that the delays in the waste collection leave them no choice but to dump.
“If the trucks take long to collect our rubbish, some residents throw it somewhere far from their house."
Alfred Nkosi (52) from Temong Section in Ekurhuleni said the municipality has a collection calendar and services the area.
"Community members are encouraged to stop dumping waste illegally and to utilise the 460-litre bins the city has provided, but they keep throwing rubbish in the open spaces.
"Look, today, 1 March, the municipality workers are removing the rubbing at this open space, but by Monday, there will be rubbish all over the place because there are people who dump at night," said Nkosi.
Thandeka Moyo (59) of Temong Section said some people are good at pointing fingers at the municipality.
"We complain about the lack of service delivery, but we can't keep our place clean.
We throw all the rubbish on the streets and expect the municipality to remove it for us. I've seen adults dumping on these open spaces, and they don't care. What kind of society are we building if we don't respect the area where we live," said Thandeka.
