Refuse collection team working to clear backlog in Lwandle after shooting this week
10 July 2026
The waste collection service in Lwandle for formal areas was impacted this week due to an attack on the City’s service provider for the area following an extortion threat. During normal operations on Tuesday, 7 July, one of their trucks came under fire from unknown assailants.
No staff were injured, but waste collection services were immediately suspended to protect personnel and equipment.
Approximately 40% of scheduled collections in Lwandle were missed on Tuesday and there were further delays on Wednesday, 8 July due to safety concerns.
The City’s Urban Waste Management Directorate, working with Law Enforcement and SAPS, has since successfully arranged escorts for contractor vehicles to ensure safe operations going forward. The contractor resumed collections as scheduled on Thursday, 9 July. SAPS is investigating the extortion.
Note to residents:
- Servicing of areas that experienced delays on Tuesday and Wednesday will now take place today, Friday, 10 July and tomorrow Saturday, 11 July.
- Affected residents are requested to please put their bins out for collection on these days. Please do not resort to dumping.
The City apologises for the inconvenience caused and assures residents that every effort is being made to restore consistent service delivery while safeguarding staff.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
