Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Marelize Boeije and Sesotho soundbite by Cllr Mbali Mnaba. See attached pictures here, here, and here.
– DA issues Letter of Demand over Moqhaka refuse collection failures.
– Persistent missed collections and waste backlogs are affecting communities.
– Service breakdown causing health and environmental risks in affected areas.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has issued a Letter of Demand to the Municipal Manager, Executive Mayor, Speaker of Council, Head of Waste and Fleet Management, and the MMC responsible for Waste Management in Moqhaka Local Municipality, demanding immediate intervention to address the ongoing refuse collection crisis affecting communities across the municipality.
For months, residents have endured repeated service delivery failures, including missed refuse collection schedules, growing backlogs, and entire areas being left without waste removal services for extended periods. Despite numerous explanations relating to fleet breakdowns, fuel shortages, staffing constraints, and overtime limitations, the situation continues to deteriorate.
We maintain that these failures are not isolated incidents but rather a systemic breakdown of a basic municipal service that residents pay for and are entitled to receive.
The letter highlights our view of serious non-compliance with the Constitution, the Municipal Systems Act, the National Environmental Management: Waste Act (Act 59 of 2008), and the National Domestic Waste Collection Standards. These standards require regular weekly waste collection, timely clearance of backlogs, and appropriate measures to prevent environmental degradation and public health risks.
Residents across Kroonstad, Steynsrus, Viljoenskroon and surrounding areas are increasingly being forced to live amongst uncollected refuse, creating health hazards, attracting pests, and negatively affecting the appearance and environmental well-being of communities.
We have given the municipality five calendar days to provide:
- Written confirmation of how lawful and sustainable refuse collection services will be restored;
- A credible operational recovery plan addressing fleet availability, fuel supply, staffing and
backlog prevention;
- Measures to prevent ongoing service disruptions;
- Details regarding accountability and consequence management where negligence or poor management
has contributed to service failures.
Should the municipality fail to comply, we will escalate the matter to provincial and national oversight bodies, including the MEC responsible for Environmental Affairs, the Public Protector, the South African Human Rights Commission, and the Free State Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (DESTEA).
The people of Moqhaka deserve reliable refuse removal services and a clean, healthy environment. Municipal leadership can no longer hide behind excuses while communities continue to suffer the consequences of ongoing service delivery failures.
The DA will continue to monitor the situation closely and pursue all available avenues to ensure that residents receive the services they are entitled to.