Overflowing bins and missed refuse collections are piling up across Joburg as Pikitup grapples with mounting debt, unpaid contractors and renewed labour unrest.
By Bulelwa Hoala

Overflowing bins and missed collections are mounting across the City of Johannesburg as Pikitup battles financial debt and labour unrest.
The waste management entity recently confirmed that it owes contractors and suppliers more than R1.3 billion, with over 70 businesses still awaiting payment.
In addition, Pikitup informed residents in a statement issued on Wednesday, 1 July 2026, that waste collection services had been disrupted across all depot areas due to a protest by casual workers demanding permanent employment.
The entity confirmed that the protest brought refuse collection to a halt and worsened waste collection backlogs already caused by the 30 June 2026 March and March protest demonstrations against illegal immigration.
Pikitup has since apologised to residents and assured them that a waste collection recovery plan has been implemented to clear the backlog and to restore normal refuse collection services.
On Point of View, Phemelo Motene spoke to Pikitup spokesperson Anthony Selepe about what is causing the delays and when residents can expect refuse collection services to return to normal.
Listen to the full conversation on the podcast below:
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