Pikitup Workers Deploy Over Long Weekend to Clear Mounting Waste Backlogs

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BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

Pikitup Workers Deploy Over Long Weekend to Clear Mounting Waste Backlogs

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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Acting National Commissioner Urges Reiger Park Community Not to Harbour Killers of Fallen Anti-Gang Unit Officers

KASiBCAFRiCA©®™
BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

Acting National Commissioner Urges Reiger Park Community Not to Harbour Killers of Fallen Anti-Gang Unit Officers

By : KasiBCAfrica News

KASIBCAUDIO

7 August 2026

REIGER PARK, EKURHULENI — Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, has issued a impassioned appeal to the residents of Reiger Park and surrounding areas to assist law enforcement in tracking down the perpetrators responsible for the ambush and brutal killing of two Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) members.

The ambush took place on Friday, 7 August 2026, when officers who were part of a local crime prevention patrol moved towards the sound of gunshots in the area and were caught in a fatal attack. Two civilians were also killed during the incident, bringing the total death toll of the shooting to four.

In response, specialized police units—including Crime Intelligence, elite tracking teams, crime scene management, and the Hawks (Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation)—have been deployed to hunt down those involved.

SAPS Appeal: "If You Know Something, Say Something"

Lieutenant General Dimpane emphasized that community cooperation is vital to breaking the wall of silence around violent gangs operating in Ekurhuleni.

"We know that someone saw what happened. Someone knows who pulled the trigger, who planned this attack, or where the suspects are hiding. We are pleading with the community not to protect ruthless criminals who have no regard for human life. Your silence only emboldens those who continue to terrorise your community."

— Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, Acting National Commissioner

Dimpane reminded residents of the heavy sacrifice police personnel make daily when serving on the frontlines:

"Our members are not just police officers. They are fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, sons, and daughters who leave their homes every day knowing they may not return, all in the service of protecting South Africans. Today, two families are mourning because these brave officers answered a call for help."

— Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane

Key Actions Taken by Law Enforcement

Maximum Resource Mobilization: Specialised investigative units have been deployed across Ekurhuleni to pursue leads.
Inter-Departmental Intelligence Operations: Crime Intelligence and the Hawks are conducting joint tracking efforts.
Protection of Informants: SAPS assures community members that all information shared via official channels will be treated with strict confidentiality.

SAPS management reaffirmed that law enforcement will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that all individuals implicated in the ambush face the full weight of the law.

How to Report Confidential Information

Members of the public with any information regarding the suspects or the incident are urged to contact:

Crime Stop Hotline: 08600 10111
MySAPS App: Download and submit anonymous tips directly to SAPS investigators.

For additional context on community challenges and ongoing security developments in the area, watch this report on Reiger Park shooting updates, which covers community responses and law enforcement efforts in previous violent incidents within the neighborhood.

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Saturday, 8 August 2026