The Tshwane metro police will escort waste collection trucks servicing households across the metro’s six regions amid threats of violence allegedly instigated by disgruntled service providers who didn't meet requirements for a new tender.
At least 60% of the previous waste contractors have not made it back on to the new tender, owing to the stringent specifications aimed at improving efficiency, according to municipal spokesperson Lindela Mashigo.
In terms of the specifications, trucks must not be older than nine years, must be fitted with tracking devices and have valid e-Natis documents.
The new requirements were also said to be behind a plan by the ANC to oust Mayor Cilliers Brink through a motion of no confidence, expected to be tabled during an ordinary council meeting on July 25.
Finance MMC Jacqui Uys, also DA caucus chairperson, claimed the regional ANC secretary George Matjila called her because he was “upset after a new tender was awarded for waste collection in the City, introducing performance requirements for contractors”.
The City of Tshwane has expressed concern that waste collection trucks, drivers and municipal officials were said to be under threat after the introduction of new service providers who assumed duty with effect July 15, 2024.
The situation has led to widespread disruptions of waste collections across the municipality, leaving some residents with no option but emptying their dustbins at illegal dumping sites.
A truck was stoned in Mamelodi en route to the Heatherly landfill site to dispose of waste.
Last week, MMC for Environment and Agriculture Management, Ziyanda Zwane, said the disruptions and threats to municipal truck drivers have led to waste collection backlogs.
Mashigo said the City has embarked on a catch-up plan for household waste collection.
“The causal factor of the disruptions is believed to be the introduction of new service providers who assumed duty with effect Monday, July 15, 2024.
“In anticipation of lagging bin lifting service, the City informed customers to expect slight delays in collection while the new service providers are trying to familiarise themselves with the municipality’s landscape and operations,” he said.
Mashigo said it is suspected that some of the previous service providers "are disgruntled and have resorted to threatening and displaying aggression towards drivers of the new contractors”.
Law enforcement teams will escort waste collection trucks servicing households across the areas of the affected 6 regions to implement the catch-up plan on waste removal, he said.
The City also vowed to adopt a no-nonsense approach and clamp down harshly on criminal elements targeting waste collection trucks.
“The City is on high alert and is monitoring the waste management environment closely following reports of intimidation and threats directed at some of the City’s officials, disruption of collection operations as well as attacks on waste trucks,” the City said.
That was after a truck belonging to a waste service contractor was pelted with stones on Friday in Mamelodi.
Tshwane City Manager Johann Mettler said: “I have given strict instructions to the Tshwane Metro Police Department to adopt a no-nonsense approach to all instances of unlawful and criminal actions. We are monitoring the situation carefully and are ready to deploy at maximum strength.”
The Star