Pikitup waste backlogs to take one week to clear after Samwu strikes

Johannesburg’s waste management entity Pikitup faced a backlog of at least 121 loads to clear across five depots on election day, following weeks of uncollected refuse driven by truck shortages and municipal strikes. Workers continued clearing rubbish through Wednesday, but the entity stated that residents in hard-hit sectors must wait approximately another week for normal schedules to resume.

Depot Backlogs Persist Across Multiple Areas

While collection routes stabilized at the Southdale, Selby, Orange Farm, Zondi, and Avalon depots, extensive backlogs persisted on Thursday at Randburg, Roodepoort, Norwood, Marlboro, Waterval, and Central Camp. As of Wednesday morning, Marlboro recorded 29 loads outstanding across 18 routes, while Waterval had 14 loads remaining. Randburg and Roodepoort had extensive backlogs, with 37 and 28 loads needing completion respectively, and Norwood required servicing across 13 streets. Pikitup urged residents in these affected zones to place bins out on normal scheduled days to assist collection teams.

The accumulation of uncollected garbage left foul stenches hanging over streets in areas like Orange Grove, where former Ward 73 Councillor Eleanor Hugget described the situation as unbearable. Rain washed over rotting refuse during the delay, creating public health concerns, and some people dumped rubbish where they could.

Samwu Strike Disrupts Waste Collection Services

The waste delays stemmed directly from strikes by members of the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu), who pushed for assurances regarding the R10.3 billion Politically Facilitated Agreement (PFA) initially tied to a 2016 framework. On November 3, just hours before local government elections, the City of Johannesburg and Samwu signed an addendum to the PFA aimed at rectifying long-standing salary discrepancies.

Samwu Regional Secretary Thobani Nkosi confirmed the union’s backing for the signed addendum, stating that the agreement establishes a funded vehicle to ensure proper remuneration for municipal employees. As of now, we definitely know that this PFA is going to be a funded vehicle, and that this particular vehicle will make sure the employees of the city are remunerated properly, Nkosi said. Samwu Johannesburg regional chairperson Lebogang Ndawo insisted that the incoming political administration must honor the agreement, arguing that the metro should instead cut unnecessary outsourcing costs on fleet management and debt collection.

Ministers Warn Against Massive Salary Commitments

The multibillion-rand commitment drew sharp warnings from national authorities and civic organizations over the financially distressed municipality’s ability to pay. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana cautioned in April against the R10.3 billion salary commitment over two years, noting that unfunded wage increases breach the Municipal Finance and Management Act. Daily Maverick reported that a potential R5 billion payout would consume more than half of Johannesburg’s annual capital budget of R8.8 billion.

Civic organizations including JoburgCAN, WaterCAN, and the Johannesburg Crisis Alliance questioned where the funds would originate, noting that the City has not disclosed payment schedules or funding mechanisms. Johannesburg Crisis Alliance coordinator Yunus Chamda emphasized that any wage agreement must be accompanied by a credible funding plan to protect essential services and infrastructure investment.