ENOCH Mgijima Local Municipality has issued a media statement to assure all its residents that refuse collection remains a priority and that municipal staff are working around the clock to ensure uninterrupted and efficient service.
Spokesperson Lonwabo Kowa has admitted that some community members in Komani have raised concerns about refuse collection which has not stuck to its known roster. It has also been alleged that, in some areas, refuse has not been collected for quite some time.
Refuse collection became hampered after municipal vehicles and machinery had been auctioned off in 2018.
The auction had left only nine trucks left to collect refuse in the entire Enoch Mgijima municipal area.
Due to its vast size, Komani has six trucks, while Hofmeyr/ Tarkastad, Molteno/Sterkstroom and Whittlesea have one truck each.
Of the six trucks in Komani, two are currently undergoing maintenance, and the entire area is being serviced by only four trucks.
Repairs to the two faulty trucks have been taking longer to repair than initially anticipated, but they are expected to be back in operation in April.
“Despite facing challenges, the municipa-lity has undertaken to continue refuse removal services as normal during lockdown,” said Kowa.
