The refuse backlog accumulated during a two-week Pikitup strike would be cleared over the Easter weekend, the refuse removal service said on Thursday.
“We are confident that our residents and businesses will already see a significant improvement by Monday and that they will experience normal services soon afterwards,” said acting managing director Lawrence Boya.
Normal refuse removal rounds resumed on Thursday morning, and street sweeping and additional removal shifts were scheduled throughout the weekend, said spokesperson Gabu Tugwana.
Residents whose refuse was normally collected on Friday or Monday were encouraged to take their bins out by 7am to avoid missing the Pikitup trucks’ rounds.
Tugwana said apologised in advance for possible noise during night shifts aimed at clearing the backlog.
Garden sites would be open until 7pm for those who wanted to dispose of their rubbish themselves.
“We want to thank the people of Johannesburg for their patience during the strike and give the assurance that we are working around the clock to clear the backlog,” said Boya. — Sapa