Local News
Dickerson Road Refuse Concerns Grow Despite Municipality’s Assurance
Refuse Complaints Mount Along Dickerson Road as Businesses Raise Concerns
Business owners and workers along Dickerson Road in Komani have raised concerns after refuse bags reportedly went uncollected for several weeks, with some saying the situation has persisted since early December.
According to multiple business representatives operating in the area, refuse bags have been left piling up outside premises, creating an untidy environment and raising concerns about hygiene and the impression it creates for customers.
One business manager working along Dickerson Road told Komani News that businesses may now be forced to pay private waste transport companies to remove the refuse.
They said allowing rubbish to pile up outside shops and offices was not an option, particularly during the busy festive season and early January period when customer traffic increases.
Businesses say situation is unsustainable
The business manager explained that while they understand municipal challenges, the reality on the ground is that refuse has not been collected consistently in their section of Dickerson Road.
They said the cost of arranging private refuse removal places additional financial pressure on businesses already dealing with rising operating costs.
Several businesses echoed similar concerns, saying the situation affects not only cleanliness but also public perception, especially for businesses that rely on walk-in customers.
Previous refuse challenges reported in Komani CBD
The complaints come weeks after Komani News reported on refuse piling up in parts of the Komani CBD due to a municipal refuse truck being out of service.
That earlier report can be read here:
Refuse piles up in Komani CBD as bin truck remains out of service
Residents and business owners at the time raised concerns about irregular refuse collection and the impact on the town’s appearance and health standards.
Municipality says refuse collection continues as usual
Despite the complaints from Dickerson Road businesses, the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality maintains that refuse collection services have continued across Komani.
Komani News reached out to municipal spokesperson Sandiso Gcobo, who provided the following response:
“The municipality has maintained a consistent refuse collection service across Komani, including Dickerson Road, Mlungisi, Ezibeleni, and surrounding residential areas.
Any disruptions experienced during December were due to public holidays, which temporarily affected the schedule.
A revised refuse collection plan was promptly implemented to address these disruptions.
The municipality remains committed to providing reliable waste management services and apologizes for any inconvenience caused.”
Ongoing gap between reports and official position
While the municipality states that refuse collection has continued as planned, businesses along Dickerson Road insist the situation on the ground does not reflect this.
At present, it remains unclear whether the reported uncollected refuse relates to specific collection zones, missed pickups, or communication gaps between businesses and municipal services.
Businesses are calling for clearer communication and more visible collection schedules to prevent future disruptions.
