Pikitup says waste collection returning to normal after strike, urges casuals to allow operations

Pikitup told The Citizen on Wednesday that waste collection operations across Johannesburg are returning to normal more than a week after a strike by contract workers left rubbish piling up on the city’s streets.

Depots largely back on schedule

According to The Citizen, a Pikitup spokesperson said the majority of the city’s depots have resumed routine collections. “11 of the 12 Pikitup depots are back on schedule, save for isolated escalations that are being addressed,” Muzi Mkhwanazi told The Citizen.

Avalon depot and backlog

The Avalon depot, which had been particularly affected by the disruption, has resumed operations. “The Avalon Depot has fully resumed its operations, and the backlog would be cleared by the end of this week,” Pikitup told The Citizen.

JMPD support described as situational

Pikitup also told The Citizen that the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department has been providing escorts to collection trucks in some areas, but that this is not a permanent arrangement.

“JMPD occasionally escorts Pikitup trucks as and when required, based on various situations ranging from community unrest to disruptions at the Depots hampering service delivery,”

Appeal to casual workers and ongoing talks

As services resume, Pikitup appealed to striking casual workers to allow permanent staff to continue collections while wage talks proceed. The entity told The Citizen it is engaging with the workers to resolve the dispute.

“Engagements are currently underway to resolve the impasse with casuals,”

Pikitup appealed to striking casual workers to allow operations to continue while wage talks proceed, The Citizen reported.