Municipal Garbage Collection Delays Leave Residents Frustrated

Garbage Piles Growing Across Six Towns

Residents in six towns under the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality (EMLM) have reported growing piles of uncollected garbage. Some residents say they have had to leave their refuse in open spaces while waiting for collection, which can take more than two weeks in some areas.

Photo: Tembile Sgqolana

The municipality currently has two operational refuse trucks, while two additional trucks are undergoing repairs at the municipal workshop. According to municipal spokesperson Lonwabo Kowa, the fleet includes two large double-differential compactors, one smaller single-differential compactor, and a roll-on/roll-off container truck.

Residents in Mlungisi said that garbage collection is sometimes skipped for a week or two. In Tarkastad, some residents have arranged for a local individual to assist with garbage removal. Residents report that uncollected garbage has accumulated in several areas of the township.

Residents Handling Their Own Garbage Removal

Residents in Whittlesea, Molteno, Sterkstroom, Tarkastad, and Hofmeyer report that municipal trucks are not collecting garbage in their towns. During a council meeting on 31 October 2025, mayoral committee member Unathi Galada noted that residents in these areas have been billed for refuse removal services they are not receiving.

“The municipality should have a way of repaying residents for refuse removal services that are not being provided,” Galada said.

Residents confirmed that garbage remains uncollected in their towns. In Tarkastad, local resident Neil Roberts has been using his bakkie to collect garbage from businesses and households in the central business district.

Photo: Tembile Sgqolana

Roberts said residents have been managing garbage collection themselves, despite being billed for municipal refuse services. He described the situation in the township:

“There are piles of garbage on almost every corner because no one is collecting them,” he said.

Photo: Tembile Sgqolana

Roberts added that in the town centre, residents sometimes give him a contribution for collecting garbage, but in the township, no municipal collection takes place.

“There are piles of garbage in the township because it is not being collected,” he said.

Another resident, Carol Boast, noted that the local dumpsite is unfenced.

“Garbage is scattered around, and people continue to dispose of it in open areas,” she said.

Boast also said residents contribute R100 a month to help cover Roberts’ petrol costs for his collection efforts.

Municipality Responds, Residents Disagree

Mlungisi resident Moshekile Fani said that garbage collection used to take place every Thursday, but this schedule is no longer being followed.

“When we put the bags outside, they are not collected, and after lying around for weeks, dogs tear them open,” he said.

Municipal spokesperson Lonwabo Kowa said that the Ezibeleni and Mlungisi collection routes experienced delays over the past two weeks due to truck breakdowns, with only two trucks operational.

“Refuse was collected over the weekends to address the backlog. The routes have returned to the normal schedule starting Monday,” he said.

Photo: Tembile Sgqolana

Kowa said that Molteno and Sterkstroom are serviced over the weekends, while Hofmeyer has a vehicle assigned to the area.

However, Hofmeyer resident Vuuyosile Blom said garbage collection in the town has not been consistent for several years.

Kowa added that Whittlesea is also serviced over the weekend due to a shortage of trucks.

“There are vehicles currently under repair for these areas. Yesterday, the municipality launched a new programme with 40 participants to assist with collection in Ezibeleni, Mlungisi, and Whittlesea,” he said.