Job seekers threaten Pikitup staff

Concerns are growing that Pikitup's failure to collect refuse could become a health hazard in some parts of Johannesburg.

Pikitup has been unable to collect refuse in parts of Midrand and Soweto due to protests by job seekers at some of the company's depots.

Pikitup spokesperson Muzi Mkhwanazi said staff were not on strike but were unable to operate because of people who demanding jobs from the waste management company.

"The people protest outside our gates and prevent trucks from leaving the depots," said Mkhwanazi, adding that the protesters were threatening employees.

"Today a truck was stoned in Westbury during collection. Two weeks ago another truck was stoned at Zondi depot and the Central Camp depot was set alight last week."

Another truck was set alight two weeks ago in Diepkloof, Soweto.

He said in the interim, Pikitup would ask police and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department to escort trucks collecting refuse.

One concerned resident is John Williams who lives in Midrand. He said refuse was piling up and they had not received any communication about when refuse collection would resume.

An estate manager in Midrand said they had to use a private refuse collector to remove rubbish. "I tried to call the depot because I wanted to find out if they'll be collecting this week; they didn't pick up the phone."