Subject: Temporary Suspension of Refuse Collection Services in Wards 24, 26, and 27 at Soweto-On-Sea Due to Safety Concerns
Published: March 24, 2025<< BACK TO NEWS
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Subject: Temporary Suspension of Refuse Collection Services in Wards 24, 26, and 27 at Soweto-On-Sea Due to Safety Concerns
Nelson Mandela Bay, March 24, 2025 – The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality wishes to inform the public about the temporary suspension of refuse collection services in Wards 24,
26, and 27 at Soweto-on-Sea, under the Ibhayi/Straunway Depot. This decision follows three separate incidents of armed robbery and the shooting of employees while performing their
duties in these areas, significantly compromising the safety and well-being of our staff.
The incidents occurred between October 2024 and January 2025, and due to the grave concern over staff safety, the workforce decided to temporarily halt services. Given the nature
of the crimes and the high level of danger involved, we have deemed it necessary to take immediate action to ensure the safety of our employees.
We have urgently facilitated an integrated approach to address these safety concerns and ensure the continuation of essential services in the affected wards. On January 27, 2025,
a meeting was coordinated with two councillors from the affected wards, (Ward 24) and (Ward 27). The meeting led to several recommendations, including the organisation of public
meetings for all affected wards, requesting escort services from Safety and Security to enable refuse collection, and explore Soweto-on-Sea residents for the next EPWP intake.
A follow-up public meeting was held on February 20, 2025, and, after extensive discussions with residents, a decision was made to resume catch-up services the following day, February
21, 2025. However, despite these efforts, our employees were again attacked on the morning of February 21, 2025, in Ward 26. The team was threatened at gunpoint and had to withdraw immediately. As a result, all waste management activities, including refuse collection and clearing of illegal dumping, remain suspended in these areas due to ongoing safety concerns.
Regarding community suggestions for refuse collectors to come from the community to prevent robberies, the Public Health Directorate (Solid Waste Management Sub-Directorate)
is mandated, in terms of Section 24 of the Constitution and the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, to provide refuse collection services to all residents within the jurisdiction of the municipality. This includes Soweto-on-Sea, and no alternative methods can be applied to service the area.
Due to budget constraints the Municipality hasn’t facilitated the escorts of staff.
Furthermore, the issue regarding the delay in issuing black refuse bags has been resolved. The Municipality has addressed the challenges that caused the delay, and the distribution of
refuse bags has been carried out as follows:
1. Ward 24: 200 bags (Door-to-door & Cllr’s Office) on 20/02/2025.
2. Ward 26: 60 bags (Cllr’s Office) on 21/02/2025.
3. Ward 27: 82 bags (Cllr’s Office) on 18/02/2025.
The repeated violent incidents violate the fundamental rights of our employees to work in a safe environment, and we are committed to working to address this as a municipality and law
enforcement to resolve this issue.
The safety of our employees remains our top priority, and we urge the community to understand the necessity of these temporary measures. We are committed to restoring services in Soweto-on-Sea and surrounding areas as soon as it is safe to do so.
Ends.
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