The City of Johannesburg’s Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Environment and Infrastructure Services, Jack Sekwaila, has condemned the burning of Pikitup waste collection trucks in Diepsloot.
The incident occurred on Tuesday and has been reported to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for investigation. Authorities are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the destruction of the vehicles and to apprehend those responsible.
The burning of the trucks comes a day after an amicable agreement was reached between Pikitup management and protesting casual workers who had barricaded depot gates in an attempt to force the company to employ them.
The agreement followed the intervention of MMC Sekwaila and other stakeholders, including organised labour unions. All parties had agreed that workers would return to duty while their grievances in Midrand, Marlboro and Randburg were being addressed.
Sekwaila described the incident as deeply concerning, especially as it occurred while efforts were underway to resolve the matter peacefully.
“Pikitup is a law-abiding entity and cannot be compelled to act unlawfully by hiring individuals outside prescribed legal and policy processes,” Sekwaila said.
“Furthermore, the company’s management is present on the ground addressing the matter and wishes to assure residents that it is receiving urgent attention.”
The MMC added that he personally visited the Randburg depot on Tuesday afternoon to ensure operations had resumed as agreed.
“Upon my arrival, I discovered that the gates were still closed. However, I engaged with the casual workers and requested them to open the gates to allow trucks to go out and service our residents,” he said.
“After explaining the decision made in our meeting yesterday, we came to an understanding, and the gate was cleared.”
Sekwaila apologised to residents affected by disrupted waste collection services and assured them that measures are being implemented to normalise operations.
“I would like to extend my sincere apologies to residents whose waste was not collected on the scheduled dates and assure them that work is underway to normalise waste collection services,” he said.
“A plan to clear waste collection backlogs in the affected areas has been developed. Residents will be kept informed of progress and notified should any further service disruptions arise.”
