Waste disposal site reopened following refuse protest

THE WASTE disposal site on the Upington road was opened following a protest by refuse workers demanding to be permanently absorbed. 

Graders were used to clear the heaps of litter dumped along the road this week after the gates to the site were closed on April 15.

The workers stated that they had agreed to temporarily suspend their protest until a meeting with the Sol Plaatje mayor, Speaker and municipal manager on April 23. 

Acting corporate services executive director Desmond Lang indicated that the municipality would have to source around R74 million to absorb the contract workers and provide them with benefits, including pension and medical aid.

Sol Paatje Speaker Dipuo Peters stated that many of the workers had been working for over 20 years on contract. 

“The municipality is looking towards permanently employing some of these workers. However, it is a long process, especially when the municipality does not have the resources due to a limited budget. I understand their frustrations, as some workers have died on duty while still on contract. They are also aggrieved that new staff are recruited into positions while they have been contract workers for many years.”

She, however, condemned the protest action and stated that the landfill site was now accessible to the public. 

“Littering is unhealthy and the dumping poses a road hazard. We request the co-operation of the public to keep the city clean.”