Sterkstroom residents claim refuse not collected for two years

KOMANI – Concerns over refuse collection in Sterkstroom are continuing to surface, with residents again raising complaints about prolonged service delays and deteriorating waste conditions in parts of the town.

The latest concerns follow earlier reporting in January 2026, which highlighted frustrations over irregular refuse collection and issues at local landfill sites. Months later, residents say little appears to have improved.

Some residents now claim that refuse removal in certain areas has not taken place for “almost two years”, although this has not been independently verified.

Ongoing pressure on residents

Residents say the lack of consistent refuse collection has forced many households to make their own arrangements to dispose of waste, including transporting rubbish to local dumping sites.

Images from one such site show significant amounts of waste piling up, with household refuse scattered across the area. Residents allege that the site is not being properly maintained, raising concerns about hygiene, environmental impact, and potential health risks.

Others have indicated that refuse collection may still occur intermittently in some parts of Sterkstroom, particularly in lower-lying areas, while other sections have reportedly gone without service for extended periods.

Longstanding concerns

The latest complaints add to a pattern of ongoing service delivery concerns in Sterkstroom. In previous reports, residents raised issues around landfill management and inconsistent refuse removal, pointing to broader challenges affecting waste services in the area.

The recurrence of similar complaints months later is likely to raise questions among residents about whether underlying issues have been resolved.

Municipality yet to respond

Komani News submitted questions to Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality seeking clarity on the current status of refuse collection in Sterkstroom, including whether there are ongoing disruptions and what steps are being taken to address the situation.

No response had been received by the time of publication.

Calls for accountability

Residents say reliable refuse collection is essential for maintaining safe and healthy living conditions, and are calling for urgent clarity on when consistent services will be restored.

Komani News will update this article should a response be received from the municipality.