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There is no end in sight to Johannesburg’s waste collection woes, with the metro’s 316 casual workers threatening to resume their strike on Thursday, after their previous industrial action left heaps of rubbish uncollected for days across South Africa’s economic and financial hub. Speaking to Business Day on Wednesday, the casual workers’ leader, Themba Magoda, said: “We were promised a meeting on Tuesday, which did not materialise. We will return back to striking because the City of Johannesburg and Pikitup are not willing to negotiate. “So, tomorrow [Thursday] we are going to resume our strike action. We are going to close down all Pikitup depots, that’s what is going to happen if they continue ignoring us.” The casual workers employed by Pikitup service providers had been protesting for weeks demanding permanent employment contracts from the Johannesburg metro’s waste removal entity. Last week, the casual workers blocked entrances to the Marlboro, Waterval, Roodepoort, Randburg, Orange Farm and Avalon depots, preventing waste collection vehicles and city employees from carrying out scheduled services. According to extracts of minutes of the meeting between city officials, Pikitup and ad hoc casual worker representatives, dated August 6, which Business Day has seen, it was noted that: Subject to operational requirements, affordability, funded vacancies and the necessary approvals, Pikitup may consider the phased recruitment of qualifying casual workers against suitable vacancies arising through natural attrition, including resignations and retirements; Any recruitment process would be conducted in accordance with applicable city and Pikitup talent acquisition policies and an approved talent acquisition plan. This does not constitute a guarantee of appointment; Casual workers must exercise their rights lawfully and refrain from disrupting waste management services. Joburg deputy mayor Loyiso Masuku has since appealed to the casual workers to “allow” Pikitup operations to continue. “Waste collection is an essential service, and our residents deserve a clean city and healthy environment. As we work to restore waste collection services across Johannesburg, we appeal to all casual workers to allow Pikitup employees to continue serving our communities while engagements with management continue,” she said. “Let us work together, use the platforms that have been created for dialogue and put the needs of our residents first. A cleaner Johannesburg is a shared responsibility.” Pikitup spokesperson Anthony Selepe told Business Day there was no budget to recruit the casual workers and the city ― which has a budget of R97.1bn for 2026/27― had a moratorium in place regarding recruiting personnel. “Look, we are engaging them with the intention of resolving the matters raised. They are engaged and we hope they won’t resume their strike. They must allow the engagement process to run its course,” Selepe said. “Absorption now would be a different process. Even if they were to be employed, it wouldn’t be possible due to the financial constraints the city has. The whole city has a moratorium on staff recruitment. It would be a bit of a financial challenge if they were to be absorbed.”
