The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the City of Johannesburg is deeply concerned about Pickitup’s failure to collect waste timeously, leaving thousands living in filth.
Residents have been informed that this is the result of the introduction of a new service provider; however, this does not justify the obscene delays currently experienced, as these logistics could have been mapped out in advance.
The handover to a new service provider was foreseeable, and this explanation is the ANC once again deflecting blame and dodging responsibility for their own administrative disaster.
Residents are still awaiting clarification on what the procedures are going forward, as they are left confused while having to untangle a web of mixed messages from various depots, deepening the frustration.
The situation is worsened by service providers reportedly not receiving payment within the mandated 30-day period, slowing operations even more.
The DA is demanding that the City of Johannesburg:
• Account publicly for the failure to plan for the contractor handover, and explain why contingency arrangements were not made;
• Investigate and hold accountable the officials responsible for poor planning, communication, and payment delays; and
• Ensure that service providers are paid punctually and that waste collection resumes reliably, for the dignity and health of Johannesburg’s residents.
Johannesburg residents deserve prompt and consistent service delivery as well as transparent leadership.