SASOLBURG – Residents in the Metsimaholo Local Municipality – particularly those in Amelia and Iraq – are frustrated and upset.
They are living in poor conditions due to a lack of refuse removal. This situation has been ongoing. It is now reaching a breaking point.
The DA is set to launch a petition. It highlights the inadequate refuse collection and removal services in Metsimaholo. Cllr Stone Makhema pointed out the dire state of refuse in Amelia and Iraq. These areas are located in Zamdela. This situation acts as the catalyst for this action.
The residents of these specific areas have been experiencing differences in service delivery. This has been happening for quite some time. The service delivery is in stark contrast compared to other parts of the municipality.
The DA has repeatedly highlighted these issues. However, the situation has now escalated. More decisive action is required.
“The core of the problem lies in the differing refuse removal methods,” explains Makhema.
“Amelia and Iraq have relied on skip bins for years, while other areas benefit from a more direct house-to-house collection service.
“This means a dedicated truck visits each street and home to ensure waste is promptly removed.
“Compounding this inequality, illegal dumping seems to receive more attention and action in other neighbourhoods.”
Escalating issues
The continuous reliance on skip bins, which are evidently not being serviced regularly, has led to a severe pollution problem.
It has been months since these skip bins have been attended to.
This situation has left residents with no other option. They must navigate their daily lives surrounded by rubbish, unpleasant odors, and unhealthy living conditions.
Makhema says the contract with the previous waste removal service provider has expired.
Despite this, there appears to be no concrete plan in place to address the ongoing crisis.
“The current system, which relies on a Tractor-Loader-Backhoe (TLB) and a tipper truck, is proving to be insufficient.
“These resources are frequently diverted to other towns and tasks, leaving Amelia and Iraq underserved,” explains Makhema.
“In what can only be described as a stroke of luck, perhaps only three out of over a hundred bins might be cleaned when these vehicles are occasionally available in the area,” he concludes.
The DA says it is a fundamental responsibility of municipalities to ensure that basic services are consistently provided. Services such as refuse collection should be reliable. In doing so, they can maintain a clean, safe, and healthy environment for all citizens.
