Residents in the Mangaung Metro Municipality will have to improvise in dealing with their rubbish, with the trouble-ridden municipality’s ability to collect waste hamstrung. Mangaung issued an apology statement on 29 September, detailing severe challenges causing the backlog in recent weeks.
The Metro blames major waste fleet repairs needed and the recent fuel price hike for its inability to render services, despite these being issues even years before Moody’s downgraded the municipality to junk status in 2019.
According to Qondile Khedama, spokesperson, the repairs required range from work on gearboxes and transmissions to other mechanics in the municipality’s fleet.
“We are trying all avenues to manage the current crises, and all departments are constantly engaging to get to normality and deliver services,” he said.
Khedama said the metro has enlisted service providers for waste collection.
Dirk Kotze, DA caucus deputy chair, blames political factions within the metro.
“The municipality has the manpower and fleet to render services, but the fleet is being sabotaged by a faction to not render services,” he said.
Kotze said the metro had a fleet of eight compactors, with four in the greater Bloemfontein and the others servicing Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu.
