Replacement bins are a headache for residents

DESPITE promises made by Pikitup, many Joburg residents are still battling to get replacement bins.

Many are being told the bins are not in stock, others that they have to collect them from the depots, and some complain that the call centre does not answer their phone calls.

Residents have been battling since last year as Pikitup claimed it had no stock and there were delays in the delivery of the bins.

Pikitup, however, says 7 578 of the 20 000 bins have been dispatched. Only 16 000 were needed so there is an excess of bins, said spokesperson Muzi Mkhwanazi, adding that bins were being stored in Roodepoort.

Pikitup records indicate that from March 1 to 14, about 12 depots had received bins. Mkhwanazi said call centre staff was informed about the availability of bins.

June Brown, a Kensington resident, where theft of bins appears to be rife, has been waiting since August last year for bins, and said when she read they were now available, she called and was told there were none in stock.

She insisted to the call centre operator that she heard in the news bins were available, who then changed her story and referred her elsewhere where the phone was not answered.

She said she had purchased some herself at a cost of over R500 which were consistently being stolen.

“Besides costing me a fortune, I have tenants complaining about the rats and flies. Everyone works so there is no one around to put the bins back into the property,” she said, adding she would have to employ a person to guard the bins, as the city only replaces a bin every eight years.

Pikitup said that it was no longer necessary to report theft of bins to the police – only a reference number is needed. The number to call is 011 475 5555.