The City of Cape Town has a policy in place which prohibits staff and contractors from soliciting Christmas boxes or money from residents.
However, residents are welcome to give a voluntary cash donation or a box of goodies, said Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Waste Xanthea Limberg.
The City has previously received reports of residents being asked, at times aggressively, for Christmas boxes or donations.
“In some instances, threats were directed at residents that their refuse wouldn’t be collected if the demand wasn’t met. It must be stressed such non-action is by no means a City decision – residents will continue to have their refuse bins serviced throughout the festive season,” she said.
According to Limberg, all staff have been reminded that soliciting for Christmas boxes and donations is prohibited. Should residents wish to reward good service provided, they may of course give staff a voluntary donation, or Christmas box as a gesture of goodwill and appreciation. However, under no circumstances should residents feel compelled to do so, Limberg said.
Residents can report workers who request Christmas boxes or donations to the Call Centre on 0860 103 089 during office hours, 08:00-16:30. In addition to the date, time and place of the incident, a vehicle registration number should be provided so that the culprits can be identified. Residents can also send an email to Wastewise.User@capetown.gov.za. Such reports will be investigated immediately and, where residents are willing to testify, the City will be able to take appropriate disciplinary action.
Residents should also beware of opportunists posing as collections staff at this time of year. If residents suspect people approaching them are misrepresenting themselves they should be reported to the police.
The City’s Solid Waste Department will collect refuse in the scheduled areas on the public holidays 16, 25 and 26 December, and 1 January.
Residents are kindly advised to leave wheelie bins on the kerb. On these days, teams will collect refuse early in the morning. It will allow them to finish work quickly so they can head home to their loved ones.
