Pikitup workers resume duties after two-day protest over transport dispute

Waste collection resumes across most of Johannesburg, but tensions remain as discussions with taxi associations continue.

After a two-day protest that disrupted waste collection services in Johannesburg, Pikitup employees officially resumed their duties on Friday, bringing some relief to residents who had faced mounting refuse piles outside their homes. The protest was sparked by a dispute over transport services for staff, which the workers demanded be reinstated immediately.

The Protest: Workers Demand Transport Services

On Wednesday and Thursday, employees from Johannesburg’s official waste management entity, Pikitup, staged a protest outside Joburg Mayor Dada Morero’s office. Their key demand was the continuation of the staff transport service, which they claim is essential for employees—many of whom rely on it to travel to and from work, especially in areas with limited access to reliable public transportation.

Protesting workers expressed frustration over the sudden suspension of the transport service. “We wake up early to ensure residents have clean neighborhoods. All we ask for is safe and reliable transport,” one protester reportedly said. The disruption not only affected refuse collection but also raised concerns about potential health hazards caused by accumulating garbage across various suburbs.

Pikitup Cites Safety Concerns

In response to the protests, Pikitup issued a statement explaining that the staff transport service was halted due to safety concerns. The company cited escalating tensions with the taxi industry, which has argued that Pikitup’s transport arrangements infringe on their legal rights to transport workers.

According to Pikitup, threats and incidents stemming from disputes with taxi operators made it unsafe to continue operating their employee shuttle services. “Our primary concern is the safety of our workers,” said Muzi Mkhwanazi, Pikitup spokesperson. “The decision to suspend the service was not taken lightly but out of necessity.”

Stakeholder Discussions Underway

In a bid to find a lasting solution, ongoing discussions are being held between Pikitup management, municipal officials, and representatives from the taxi industry. These talks aim to address the legal and operational challenges tied to staff transportation and to develop a framework that ensures both the safety of employees and compliance with transport regulations.

While a final resolution has not yet been reached, the resumption of duties at most depots indicates a temporary agreement or at least a commitment to ongoing dialogue.

Majority of Depots Back in Operation

Despite the ongoing tensions, 10 out of Pikitup’s 12 depots resumed operations on Friday, allowing waste collection to proceed in most parts of the city. These depots include:

• Randburg

• Avalon

• Marlboro

• Orange Farm

• Southdale

• Norwood

• Central Camp

• Zondi

• Roodepoort

• Midrand

Residents serviced by these depots were advised to place their bins outside as per their regular collection schedules. “We appreciate the public’s patience during this disruption,” said Mkhwanazi. “Our teams are working hard to catch up on delayed collections and restore normal service levels.”

Looking Ahead

While operations have resumed, the broader issues around worker transport and safety remain unresolved. The outcome of stakeholder negotiations will be critical in determining whether this was a temporary disruption or the beginning of a longer conflict between Pikitup and Johannesburg’s powerful taxi industry.

For now, Johannesburg residents can expect waste collection to continue in most areas, but all eyes remain on how the city and its service providers will navigate the intersection of public service delivery and private sector influence in the days ahead.