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The DA in eThekwini has requested an urgent meeting with the acting Head of Durban Solid Waste (DSW), Qaphile Gcwensa and Deputy City Manager for Trading services, Mr Sbusiso Makhanya to find more sustainable solutions to the challenges that persist with regards to the city’s refuse management, collection and labour issues.

This as DSW, for almost seven weeks now, has failed to collect refuse in Phoenix and parts of North Durban. Rubbish continues to pile up on the streets, posing a serious health risk to residents and local businesses, which cannot be ignored.

Upon receiving complaints from the affected communities, the DA had a meeting with senior management of DSW to get clarity on the reasons for the crisis and more importantly, a plan of action to deal with this impending health risk . We welcome the commitment shown by some in the management to step up and put the residents first.

Following sustained pressure by DA councillors in Phoenix, DSW management has given a commitment that all uncollected refuse will be dealt with today. There has also been a commitment to provide to councillors, daily reports on available refuse trucks, breakdowns, backlogs and bin bag distribution.

The Phoenix depot which services over 40 000 residents only has eight refuse collection trucks, with four out of the eight currently working. This has been exacerbated by continuous illegal strikes and go slows by rogue DSW employees at this depot demanding to be allocated overtime hours to an extent of threatening managers and disrupting work. We call for tough action to be taken against the employees.

The DA will continue playing its oversight role until the municipality gets its house in order, and performs its basic function.

Issued by Councillor Mzamo Billy - DA eThekwini Deputy Caucus Leader