In an effort aimed at reducing the potential for refuse collection delays, the City has budgeted an amount of R235 million for the replacement of vehicles to prevent service disruptions that come with equipment breakdowns.

The Urban Waste Management Directorate is hard at work addressing issues that have caused delays in refuse collection in recent years. So far, 24 new compactors have been ordered at a value of R105m. Furthermore, 15 drum replacements are planned, where a new compactor unit is fitted to an existing chassis to save costs and keep tariffs as low as possible.

In addition to planned vehicle acquisitions, R45m has been budgeted to replace earthmoving equipment that is used at landfills, refuse transfer stations, and dumping hotspots. Smooth operations at landfills also help to prevent delays in refuse collection and cleaning illegal dump sites.

Various further orders will be placed in the coming weeks and months after engagements with suppliers on stock availability. The City needs to ensure suppliers can deliver on planned orders before the end of the current financial year to avoid possible budget underspend. The City cannot legally pay for goods before they are delivered.

‘We hope to reassure residents that the fleet of refuse collection vehicles is being carefully managed to minimise delays associated with breakdowns. We are also working closely with service providers to expedite repairs as much as possible, considering the new and more rigorous approvals process for this work.

‘Spending this budget fully each year shows that the City is serious about preventing service disruptions that come with equipment breakdowns,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management, Grant Twigg.

Source: City Of Cape Town