Rubbish piles up in Cape Town’s townships as violence deters contractors
Cleaning companies contracted by the City of Cape Town — Wastemark and Ithalomso — have withdrawn their services
31 January 2024 - 14:19
bySandiso Phaliso
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This is one of many areas in Kosovo informal settlement in Samora Machel that has not been cleaned for months, because it is too dangerous for workers of the company contracted by the City of Cape Town to clean the area. Picture: GROUNDUP
On almost every corner in Samora Machel, Philippi East and Browns Farm in Cape Town, rubbish is piling up. There is so much rubbish that some streets, such as Hart Lane and Oliver Tambo Drive, have narrowed and garbage is blocking their storm drains.
Plastic, discarded cardboard, rotten food, nappies, old clothes and shoes, and even broken electric appliances litter the township streets. There are places where rubbish hasn’t been cleared for many months.
People living in informal settlements say their only option is to establish illegal dumping sites on open land or to throw their rubbish out next to their homes.
People here say they are sick of living in filth, with flies, maggots and rodents. They worry about the health of their children. They are angry but helpless.
Violent crime and extortion gangs demanding fees have forced cleaning companies contracted by the city — Wastemark and Ithalomso — to withdraw their services.
Wastemark did not reply to GroundUp, while Ithalomso referred GroundUp to the City.
It took the City of Cape Town over a week to respond to our questions.
City of Cape Town spokesperson Luthando Tyhalibongo said, “Over the past nine months there have been serious challenges with refuse collection throughout Philippi East due to violent extortion. This has caused the contractor for refuse collection at formal properties to pull out of the area.”
“The City has been collecting waste at the formal properties using a combination of borrowed resources from other areas and newly hired vehicles.”
Tyhalibongo said law enforcement was needed to escort workers.
“Illegal dumping was always a challenge around this area. However, recent extortion challenges and ensuing service disruptions have exacerbated the situation,” he said.
“The city previously commissioned an independent investigation into waste management service challenges and is currently following due process in this regard,” he said.
Meanwhile, community leader Monwabisi Hewu says, “We are living like pigs … It is embarrassing.”
“We tried so many times to ask the City of Cape Town to intervene but nothing is forthcoming.”
Nokulunga Phila, of Philippi East, said it had been more than nine months since her area was cleaned. “There must be solutions to this because at the end of the day the residents are suffering,” she said.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Rubbish piles up in Cape Town’s townships as violence deters contractors
Cleaning companies contracted by the City of Cape Town — Wastemark and Ithalomso — have withdrawn their services
On almost every corner in Samora Machel, Philippi East and Browns Farm in Cape Town, rubbish is piling up. There is so much rubbish that some streets, such as Hart Lane and Oliver Tambo Drive, have narrowed and garbage is blocking their storm drains.
Plastic, discarded cardboard, rotten food, nappies, old clothes and shoes, and even broken electric appliances litter the township streets. There are places where rubbish hasn’t been cleared for many months.
People living in informal settlements say their only option is to establish illegal dumping sites on open land or to throw their rubbish out next to their homes.
People here say they are sick of living in filth, with flies, maggots and rodents. They worry about the health of their children. They are angry but helpless.
Violent crime and extortion gangs demanding fees have forced cleaning companies contracted by the city — Wastemark and Ithalomso — to withdraw their services.
Wastemark did not reply to GroundUp, while Ithalomso referred GroundUp to the City.
It took the City of Cape Town over a week to respond to our questions.
City of Cape Town spokesperson Luthando Tyhalibongo said, “Over the past nine months there have been serious challenges with refuse collection throughout Philippi East due to violent extortion. This has caused the contractor for refuse collection at formal properties to pull out of the area.”
“The City has been collecting waste at the formal properties using a combination of borrowed resources from other areas and newly hired vehicles.”
Tyhalibongo said law enforcement was needed to escort workers.
“Illegal dumping was always a challenge around this area. However, recent extortion challenges and ensuing service disruptions have exacerbated the situation,” he said.
“The city previously commissioned an independent investigation into waste management service challenges and is currently following due process in this regard,” he said.
Meanwhile, community leader Monwabisi Hewu says, “We are living like pigs … It is embarrassing.”
“We tried so many times to ask the City of Cape Town to intervene but nothing is forthcoming.”
Nokulunga Phila, of Philippi East, said it had been more than nine months since her area was cleaned. “There must be solutions to this because at the end of the day the residents are suffering,” she said.
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