The weekly refuse collection by Pikitup staff has left a number of residents of the area dissatisfied with the manner in which the way the plastic bins are allegedly handled.
One resident, Charles Slater, vented his frustration over what he called the ‘abuse of wheelie bins’ by the staff on numerous occasions.
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“On three occasions (3, 10 and 17 June), I witnessed the blatant abuse of residents’ plastic wheelie bins in Hedgehog Street in Weltevreden Park. After discharging filled bins into the refuse truck, most of them are just thrown down, damaging them,” Slater explained.
A similar incident was also reported in Wilgeheuwel.
Slater alluded to the fact that replacing a bin does not come cheap.
“Making things worse,” he said, “some of the refuse is often strewn across the street. Alternatively, the bins are scattered all over.”
Slater provided some photos to prove his allegations, and said he had also tried warning the workers to refrain from their unacceptable work behaviour.
Pikitup was approached for comment on this matter. The entity’s spokesperson, Muzi Mkhwanazi, told the Northsider’s journalist that Pikitup is not aware of such a complaint. “In cases where there are complaints, they should be reported to the City’s Call Centre and a reference number obtained by the complainant. The complaint is then sent to Pikitup for resolution. The only way the entity can take steps is if the matter is reported in a formal manner or reported to the Pikitup depot servicing the area,” he explained.
He also advised complainants to take photos of the incidents. “It is advisable for people who are complaining to take photos of the incident and the implicated people to assist the internal investigation. Without proof, it could well be that Pikitup employees are not even implicated in the matter,” he said.
With the increase of waste pickers in the suburbs, Mkhwanazi also cautioned the residents about their activities.
“It should also be borne in mind that in some instances, waste pickers help themselves to recyclable materials before the Pikitup truck empties the bins. Therefore, in this instance it might not have been Pikitup employees who are responsible for the alleged offence,” he countered.
Slater refuted this statement, saying that trolley pushers would not help themselves from already emptied bins – the perpetrators are Pikitup staff.
A Northsider journalist will be going under cover in the area soon in a bid to witness and document this matter.
To report matters related to Pikitup, contact the Joburg Connect Call Centre on 0860 562 874.
