The ongoing Pikitup strike continues to leave communities across the City of Johannesburg at the mercy of a standstill in refuse collection services.
This has resulted in waste overflowing onto pavements and streets, ultimately leaving communities to suffer in filth.
This waste crisis is yet another example of political dysfunction being dumped directly onto the streets of Johannesburg.
The strike is a result of inept ANC/EFF/PA governance in the City of Johannesburg and a failure to address payment concerns, leading to a cash-flow crisis at Pikitup.
This was explained following questions by us in the portfolio committee, where we demanded answers on the root cause of the problem. We also demanded that the Executive account for how it intends to rectify the problem and return services to normal.
While the City trades excuses in repetitive portfolio committees, residents are left to deal with overflowing waste, filthy streets and declining living conditions.
Pikitup has presented a brief recovery plan, which is shallow at best, aimed at addressing all depot backlogs by Sunday, 9 August 2026, at the latest.
We call on the Executive to ensure that Pikitup receives regular payments, can pay its service providers, and that residents’ money is spent where it should be. We will monitor the situation closely to ensure that the recovery plan is implemented immediately so that services can resume as normal.
It was also mentioned by Pikitup that the entity is receiving irregular payments, which has contributed to protests over non-payment.
This has caused disruptions at various Pikitup depots, including Marlboro, Alexandra, Randburg, Roodepoort, Waterval and Midrand.
Both Roodepoort and Randburg are four days or more behind their daily scheduled collection plans.
Due to threats of violence and intimidation, the JMPD has been called to certain depots to ensure safety and allow services to resume.
Residents are urged to vote in the Local Government Elections on 4 November 2026 for a DA-led administration that will prioritise reliable service delivery, accountability and the responsible use of public funds.