UPDATE: 12 November 2025 – 10:45
ALERT: REFUSE COLLECTION SERVICES RESUME AS SCHEDULED
Refuse removal is being carried out according to the known area schedule from today, Wednesday 12 November 2025.
Residents who were affected by non-collection over the last two days, are kindly requested to withdraw their refuse from the collection points and to set aside for the coming working week.
Collection will proceed as per usual schedule, and the area schedule will once again be adhered to during the coming working week.
Please let know that there will be no additional collection operations over the coming weekend.
We thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
Kind regards,
Thabo Mothibi
Communications Unit
Sol Plaatje Municipality
UPDATE: 10 November 2025 – 22:00
RE: UNPROTECTED STRIKE ACTION AT SOL PLAATJE MUNICIPALITY AND THE IMPACT ON SERVICES
Sincerest Apologies for the Halting of Services
The delivery of some of the services — sanitation, electrical, roads and refuse removal – have been brought to a halt amid a wildcat strike by over a hundred (100) long-term contract workers that continued today, Monday 10 November 2025. The simmering tensions emanate from the long-term contract workers demand that over 490 of them be permanently absorbed.
The acting Municipal Manager Ms. Busisiwe Mgaguli extends her sincerest apologies to all residents for the breakdown in service delivery, especially refuse removal.
“We deeply regret the impact this unprotected strike has had on service delivery. Many residents have been inconvenienced by the non-delivery of services, and we profusely apologise for this unfortunate situation.
“We implemented contingency measures over the weekend for the collection of refuse, whilst all other services were delivered. However, we were again engulfed by a strike action today.
Our Firm Commitment to Resolving the Impasse
“We are convening a special Local Labour Forum (LLF) tomorrow, Tuesday 11 November 2025, in an all-out-effort to resolve this impasse.
“We agree, and as per council resolution, that long-term contract workers should be absorbed. However, we ought to reach a negotiated settlement having considered the financial implications. Hence, with utmost care, we remain committed to the processes necessitating an amicable resolve.
“We appeal to those embarking on this unprotected strike to return to their posts. We also note that the two registered unions have applied for a full-blown strike. Hence we are calling for a cessation of hostilities and for the collective agreement to be upheld as an unprotected strike draws in its wake dire consequences such as no-work no-pay.
“Equally, we are confident that the regional and provincial leadership of the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) would be able to provide direction in ensuring we enter negotiations with recognised leaders of the union within the municipality, for the decisions to be taken to hold.
“We are pleading with the workers, our brothers and sisters, who are from the same backgrounds as many of us, to desist from any means of violent conduct and to always respect municipal property. The police are under obligation to protect state property and stop lawlessness whenever it rears its ugly head,” asserted Ms Mgaguli.
…END
Issued by The Communications Unit
Enquiries: Thabo Mothibi, Communications Manager
Email : Tmothibi@solplaatje.org.za
Tel : 053 830 6844
UPDATE: 7 November 2025 – 16:00
ALERT: REFUSE REMOVAL CATCH-UP OPERATION OVER THIS WEEKEND
Refuse removal services will be back on track this weekend, tomorrow – Saturday, 08 November, and Sunday 09 November 2025.
This is an all-out effort in dealing with the backlog of the past three days amid a go-slow that also involved contract workers within the Cleansing Unit.
Further, residents will be updated on Monday morning.
We extend our sincere apologies for the inconvenience caused. We plead for your understanding and patience.
Kind regards,
Thabo Mothibi
Communications Unit
Sol Plaatje Municipality
