A Community’s Struggle: Uncollected Garbage in Doornbach Informal Settlement

In the Doornbach informal settlement of Dunoon, residents have been grappling with the issue of uncollected garbage since 30 June – when the previous refuse collection contractor’s contract expired.

The City’s Role

It is uncertain what the City of Cape Town’s role is in appointing a new contractor. However, Elliot Nkohla, the chair of the Dunoon branch of the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO), reported that a new contractor had started removing waste. SANCO, however, halted the contractor’s work. They insisted that the employees be verified as local residents registered on the Blaauwberg subcouncil’s unemployed database. Nkohla emphasized that the contractor’s employees must also be verified as Dunoon residents before the work can continue.

Ongoing Negotiations

Ward Councillor Messie Makuwa mentioned that negotiations were ongoing with the new contractor regarding the employment of people from Dunoon for waste collection. Grant Twigg, Mayco member for Urban Waste Management, assured residents that the City was working on various mechanisms to improve service delivery in informal settlements.

Although the contractor’s contracts were terminated on 30 June 2023, Twigg stated that cleaning continued until then. He urged residents experiencing delays in refuse collection to inform the City. However, the situation on the ground tells a different story, with garbage strewn across Dunoon’s main thoroughfare, Potsdam Road, and children playing amidst piles of rubbish.

Concerns of the Community

Phindile Mazula, a community leader and 25-year resident of Doornbach, confirmed that household waste was last collected at the end of June, with no refuse removal since then. Mazula described residents dumping items such as nappies, food waste, beer bottles, and even faeces. Children, with no proper place to play, often sift through the mounds of waste in search of toys or anything they can play with.

Mazula expressed concern about the unhygienic conditions, highlighting how the rotting food waste and lack of proper play areas for children can lead to health issues and diseases. The situation in the Doornbach informal settlement underscores the need for effective waste management solutions and a more streamlined process for assigning contractors, especially in vulnerable communities like Dunoon.

Finding a Solution

As negotiations continue and residents grapple with the growing piles of garbage, the importance of addressing waste management issues and providing safe spaces for children cannot be overstated. The health and well-being of the residents of Doornbach hang in the balance, and it is crucial for all parties involved to work together to find a solution that benefits everyone in the community.