Note to Editors: Please find attached English soundbite by Cllr Ntombi Mokoena, Afrikaans soundbite by Cllr Anelia Smit and Sesotho soundbite by Cllr Diphapang Mofokeng. See attached pictures here, here and here.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Phumelela Local Municipality will formally intervene by writing to the municipal manager for failing to collect refuse in Ezenzeleni in Warden, and to ensure the urgent clearing of illegal dumping sites and the restoration of reliable waste removal services, following the municipality’s complete breakdown in service delivery during the recent festive season.
While residents expected standard service delivery over the holidays, the municipality’s incapacity has led to a town-wide sanitation crisis that is now encroaching on essential community spaces and residential areas.
A recent DA oversight visit to Ezenzeleni has revealed that parts of the community are now overwhelmed by uncollected waste. Most disturbingly, a local community park, a vital space for recreation and a safe play area for our youth, has become one of the many sites used for illegal dumping.
Because household waste was not collected throughout December, the overflow has spilt into public facilities, exposing the community to rotting refuse and hazardous environments. This park is just one example of the broader decay seen across Ezenzeleni, where the lack of municipal intervention has turned residential streets into health hazards.
The DA views this as a direct violation of the community’s right to a clean and safe environment. The lack of a contingency plan for waste management during the busy festive period has left Ezenzeleni in a state of total neglect. We cannot allow public spaces and residential streets to be sacrificed because the municipality is unable to manage its refuse fleet and collection schedules.
We are also calling for an immediate return to a reliable and transparent waste collection schedule to prevent further environmental degradation. The DA will not rest until our public spaces are restored and the residents of Ezenzeleni are provided with the basic services they deserve.