Pikitup Workers Deploy Over Long Weekend to Clear Mounting Waste Backlogs
BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR
Pikitup Workers Deploy Over Long Weekend to Clear Mounting Waste Backlogs
By : KasiBC Africa News
8 August 2026
JOHANNESBURG — Pikitup, the City of Johannesburg’s official waste management entity, has announced that operations will continue uninterrupted throughout the upcoming Women's Day long weekend. Teams will work through the public holiday on Monday, 10 August, in an intensive effort to clear severe refuse backlogs caused by an ongoing casual worker strike.
All Pikitup depots across Johannesburg are scheduled to operate continuously over the long weekend to restore normal refuse removal schedules.
Targeted Depots & Recovery Timeline
While all facilities are operational, Pikitup has identified five depots that have borne the brunt of the strike disruptions:
- Marlboro Depot
- Randburg Depot
- Waterval Depot
- Roodepoort Depot
- Avalon Depot (Soweto)
Barring any further operational interference, Pikitup anticipates that 11 out of its 12 depots will completely clear their backlogs by Tuesday, 11 August 2026.
Due to significant operational backlogs in Soweto and surrounding areas, the Avalon Depot is projected to clear its outstanding collection backlog by Friday, 14 August 2026.
Escorted Operations Amid Intimidation and Violence
The clearance plan remains contingent on worker safety and protection of municipal infrastructure. Operational disruptions escalated earlier this week following incidents of intimidation, death threats, and physical attacks targeted at Pikitup staff:
- Vehicle Attacks: Collection trucks were targeted with stones in hot spot areas.
- Illegal Dumping Incident: In Chiawelo, Soweto, striking workers forced a fully loaded compactor truck to dump its waste load directly onto the public road.
To safeguard workers and municipal assets, law enforcement agencies will maintain a strong presence, providing continuous police escorts for Pikitup trucks and collection crews.
"Pikitup apologises for the inconvenience caused by the ongoing casual worker strike and assures residents that every effort is being made to resolve the situation and restore normal waste collection services." — Pikitup
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