The number of uncollected refuse bin bags laying by the roadside has turned Phoenix roads and side-walks into an eyesore.
According to irate residents, their bins have not been collected for a number of weeks and this is causing a mess and stench in front of their homes. Residents, who have been taking out their bin bags to be picked up by DSW on the scheduled pick-up days, have returned home only to find the bags ripped up and the garbage contents strewn all over their yards, for over a month. Speaking to The Phoenix Tabloid, Sunford resident, Basdeo Bhagirath said: “Durban Solid Waste (DSW) is one of our service providers and it is their duty to pick up the black bin bags on specific mornings each week. But their services are pathetic, yet their charges to the ratepayers remains high. “He said a drive along Phoenix roads would be a true reflection of the severity of the problem as on most days one finds hundreds of bin bags lying on the pavements for days, for when the next pick up is scheduled. “A call to their local office enlists no response, and if you are lucky to get through you would get the usual response, ‘we are aware of the problem and we have just dispatched a truck to the area’, but at most times it’s a lie for no truck turns up,” said Bhagirath.
He said last week Monday, the residents of Avonford Crescent in Sunford and the surrounding areas took out their black bin bags as usual and left them on the pavement for removal by DSW but the truck never turned up. “By 1.30pm I managed to get through to their local office and was assured that the truck was on the way but that was a lie. At midday on Wednesday I managed to speak to another DSW consultant who promised to have it removed by the weekend. I then spoke to the local manager who was totally unaware of the problem,” said Bhagirath. He added: “Phoenix had always been a neat and tidy township. From the time DSW was assigned this contract their services have been getting from bad to worse. I have no doubt that most Phoenix ratepayers hope and pray that the eThekwini Municipality would never renew their contract at the time of its expiry.”
Ward 51 Councillor Maggie Johnson, who has being working on getting the garbage removed from the streets and pavements in Phoenix, said: “It is unfortunate that with all the other service delivery issues in the community, another essential basic need service has been compromised. This service impacts our environment and living areas, and whether it is the fault of management or staff for the back logs, at the end of the day, it is a service the municipality has to provide for its rate payers.” She said: “It is alleged that the reason for the unattended refuse pick up around Phoenix, south and north, is due to a back log and resistance from DSW staff who have gone on a go-slow due to them being unhappy with certain management decisions. If there is a pick up set for Monday, the garbage is only picked up that weekend or the week after. I have spoken to DSW management who assured me that all backlogs will be completed soon.”
In a statement issued by the eThekwini Municipality, they said that they are aware of the interruption of waste collection services. “The City would like to inform residents of the interruption of waste collection services in the Phoenix area. This is due to a labour challenge in some depots. Cleansing and Solid Waste Management is currently exploring other alternative measures of providing services in all the affected areas. The City apologises to residents and businesses for the inconvenience caused and will work around the clock to clear the backlog,” the statement said. Previously, DSW Unit Head Qaphile Gcwensa had reported that DSW was experiencing challenges of breakdowns and go slows in the north central region including areas like Phoenix and surroundings, causing non-collection of refuse. “Staff members are being directed under difficult circumstances to remove refuse. We are sorry for the inconvenience caused and non-collection of refuse. We are trying everything possible to remove refuse under these regions,” added Gcwensa.
