The City of Tshwane wishes to express its condemnation in the strongest terms regarding the latest violent attack on waste removal trucks.
Two waste trucks belonging to a contractor were pelted with stones today in Heatherly, Region 6, near Vista University on Solomon Mahlangu Drive.
The said trucks provide a service to Region 5 areas and were en route to the Heatherly landfill site to dispose waste when the attack occurred.
One official who was on duty during the incident got injured while others were left shaken.
These developments come in the wake of the introduction of new service providers who assumed duty with
effect from Monday, 15 July 2024.
It is suspected that the perpetrators could be the disgruntled former workers of the previous service providers.
Tshwane City Manager Johann Mettler has strongly condemned these dastardly acts and called on our communities to identify these criminals. “We have approached SAPS at the provincial level to join forces with us in our fight against these crimes against the State”.
“TMPD is also on high alert to clamp down harshly on anyone who partakes in acts of violence against the city property or private property.
The cowardly and thuggish attack on the waste trucks will not deter us from continuing to render services to our communities” Mettler said.
The injured worker has been rushed to hospital where he is receiving medical attention.
The contractor withdrew the two trucks as a precautionary safety measure, consequently, normal collection schedule will be disrupted in Regions 5 and 6 this week.
The following are areas where collection hasn’t been completed:
• Mamelodi Ext 20 (Phase 5)
• Waevind Park
• Lindo Park Ext 0,1,3
• Koedoespoort Indiustria
• Derdepoort Ext 0,1,3 and 65
• Cullinan
• Lewzene
• Refilwe Ext 4
• Phumzile Park
The city is pleading with its customers to bear with us as we put plans in place to address the backlog arising out of today’s incidents in region 6.
Meanwhile, a team of water and sanitation technicians was attacked early this afternoon in Mamelodi while
installing the pressure monitoring points.
Their truck was stoned, fortunately, they managed to escape unharmed.
They are currently at the local police station opening a case against their attackers.
The attack is directly related to our efforts to address the perennial water supply challenges to Ikageng
and surrounding areas While the City understands the frustration endured by residents of Ikageng, attacking officials who are trying their utmost best to normalise water supply to the area, is not a solution, as
the problem remains unresolved as a result of the violent attack on the team.