Pikitup’s R85m rental bill leaves Joburg bins waiting
JOHANNESBURG — Johannesburg’s waste collection problems are exposing the cost of Pikitup’s dependence on hired vehicles, with a reported rental bill of approximately R85 million a month alongside recurring collection delays. The entity says ageing trucks and financial pressures are disrupting operations, while management estimates that replacing its fleet would require R800 million.
The operational consequences resurfaced this month. A recovery schedule reported on 7 October listed 147 outstanding collection routes across eight depots, including Randburg, Roodepoort, Southdale, Norwood and Waterval. Randburg had the largest backlog in that schedule, with 35 routes outstanding, followed by Roodepoort with 25. Those figures describe the backlog at the time and have not been verified as the current position.
Pikitup acknowledged reduced operational capacity and apologised to affected residents. It said available resources were being directed towards missed rounds while teams worked to restore normal schedules. It was subsequently reported collection complaints in areas including Melville, Westbury, Coronationville, Kensington, Parkhurst and Randburg.
Management has linked part of the financial strain to Johannesburg’s centralised cash-management system, under which municipal entities compete for funding against other obligations. Managing director Bukelwa Njingolo told journalists that the city was moving to prioritise Pikitup alongside essential-service commitments involving Eskom and Rand Water. Contractor payment delays nevertheless remain a reported concern.
The difficulties predate the latest disruption. In July, chief financial officer Litshani Matsila said many of Pikitup’s own trucks were more than 12 years old and that the entity relied heavily on service providers because it had not renewed its fleet. He also said delayed contractor payments were contributing to collection problems.
Njingolo said Pikitup was considering a combination of purchased vehicles, rentals and additional capacity for emergencies. The proposed R800 million fleet replacement remains a funding requirement, rather than a completed procurement programme. The reports reviewed did not provide a funded delivery timetable showing when replacement trucks would enter service.
The DA has separately alleged that unpaid fuel contractors and payment-related landfill closures contributed to the October delays. Those claims should be distinguished from Pikitup’s confirmed statement that reduced capacity had caused missed collections. The entity encouraged residents able to do so to use its integrated waste management facilities during the recovery period.
Ahead of the municipal elections, residents are being presented with fleet proposals while still dealing with repeated interruptions to a basic service. A published recovery schedule, regular progress reports and a funded replacement timetable would allow households to assess whether the city’s commitments are producing more dependable collections.
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