- Refuse collection resumed in Manenberg after temporary suspension due to escalating gang violence.
- Residents urged to avoid dumping while City clears backlog and ensures safety assessments for future collections.
- Community cooperation vital as the City works to maintain a healthy environment and prevent further delays.
Refuse collection in the Manenberg area has been restored following a temporary suspension of services as a result of gang violence.
The City of Cape Town advised of the suspension on Wednesday 26 February with services restored on Monday 3 March.
At the time, the City informed residents of the “regrettable” suspension, noting an increase in sporadic shootings in the area with refuse collection staff having to work in the crossfire between gangs regularly, presenting an unacceptable risk to their safety.
“I assure the residents of the area that this decision has not been taken lightly. Staff members working in the area have shown their commitment to serving the community under very unsafe conditions in recent years. The City will explore new strategies for servicing the area that can improve the safety of those who provide services,” said Acting Mayco member for urban waste management, Siseko Mbandezi at the time calling on residents to refrain from dumping.
“During this time, we ask residents to please refrain from dumping for as long as they can. The area will be prioritised to have their bins emptied as soon as possible. The City will provide updates when these are available. Please ensure your bins are out and available for collection when requested,” read the statement.
People’s Post visited the area on Wednesday and observed several locations where refuse bags and household waste had been dumped.
One resident, who will only be identified as Gadija, says dumping occurs regularly in Manenberg, but that this has made it worse.
“Our bins are full and stinking. One week is not long to some, but it is when you have a full bin in this hot heat. The smells can become a lot,” she says.
By Wednesday she says her bin had not been collected.
Another resident, Mogamat Salie says rats, flies and cockroaches come with refuse harbouring.
“I understand the need for suspending the collection, but this is a service we pay for. My bin is never that full, so I am not too worried about the delay, but others were quick to dump,” he says.
“The problem is some locations are always full of dumping. So this was just a reason to add to it.”
Both residents confirm a slight increase in shootings, noting that Manenberg is no stranger to gang violence.
Gadija says that suspending to the whole area was not necessary as shootings are often concentrated to one location only.
Manenberg police spokesperson, Capt Ian Bennett says the area did not experience a reported increase in bin theft during the refuse collection suspension period. He adds that gang tensions are continuous across the area.
By Friday 7 March the backlogs of refuse collection caused by the suspension had been cleared, the City says.
Going forward, daily safety assessments will be done in Manenberg before collections staff enter the area, reads a statement.
“We thank those in the community who made the effort to contain waste on their property until services were restored. The City’s cleansing services will be in the area this week clearing any dumping that has occurred during the service disruption,” the City confirms.
“We urge the community to work with us to ensure a healthy environment. Shootings may cause delays in refuse collection, but the City will return as soon as it is safe to do so and clear any backlog. Please keep your bins out for collection. If the bin is stolen, this can be easily replaced at no cost to the receiving household.”
