City addresses service interruptions in community-based refuse removal projects
21 October 2025
The City of Cape Town’s Urban Waste Management Directorate is taking urgent steps to stabilise refuse removal services in several informal settlements following contractual non-compliance by some recently appointed service providers. The affected areas include parts of Mitchells Plain, Strandfontein, Capricorn, Khayelitsha, Helderberg and Philippi.
Contractors appointed on 1 September 2025 under the Community-Based Refuse Removal (CBRR) programme to service these areas have failed to meet key contractual obligations. As a result of contract breaches, the City is following due process towards termination of contracts, and appointment of replacement service providers as a matter of urgency.
In the interim, depot resources and specialised equipment services are being dispatched to provide relief in affected communities where possible.
Threats to relief operations
The City is engaging with community leadership structures to ensure safe access for our teams so that relief operations can proceed. Should these engagements not succeed, the City will request Law Enforcement escorts. In communities where waste management is disrupted, residents are assured that we are doing everything possible to assist them in this difficult time.
Way forward
The City is following due process to appoint alternate contractors identified through the original tender process to provide services, and may make use of labour brokers in the short term if necessary.
Importantly, all jobseekers who signed contracts with the non-compliant outgoing service providers will be absorbed by incoming service providers - whether through alternate contractors or temporary labour arrangements. The City is also working to ensure that all workers who have signed contracts with the non-compliant service providers receive remuneration for work they have done.
Going forward, the City will look into strengthening checks and balances as part of the procurement process that can better ensure that appointed service providers are capacitated to honour the terms of the contract.
‘The City is urgently addressing these issues and reviewing the performance of contractors responsible for payments and service delivery. Our workers are the heart of a cleaner, healthier city, and the cleanliness of our communities remains a top priority. We are doing everything possible to get services back on track and restore normal operations soon,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management, Alderman Grant Twigg.
The City appeals for cooperation from all community members and representatives to allow relief teams safe access, so that waste collection and area cleansing can resume and environmental health risks can be minimised.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
