Waste and cleaning in Johannesburg council, March 2025 to June 2026

What the record covers

This page covers 11 chapters tagged with waste and cleaning, including refuse collection, Pikitup, illegal dumping and cleanliness, across 8 sitting days from 26 March 2025 to 24 June 2026. Only transcribed sittings are covered in this record on waste and cleaning. The waste chapters run from the 29th Ordinary Council Meeting on 26 March 2025 to the 38th Ordinary Council Meeting on 24 June 2026. 26 Mar 05:10:03 24 Jun 06:07:23

Amendment of the Waste Management By-law

On 27 March 2025, council debated Item 52, the Amendment of the Waste Management By-law, covering illegal dumping, waste pickers and construction deposits. 27 Mar 02:11:56 DA, UDM, FF+, ACDP, EFF and ActionSA speakers supported the Item 52 by-law amendments, and several urged better enforcement and wider public participation. 27 Mar 02:11:56 In the Item 52 debate, the ACDP asked for clarity on several sections of the by-law amendments and better enforcement, and the EFF asked for wider public participation. 27 Mar 06:00:05 MMC Mgcina thanked the committee and requested approval, and council agreed to the Item 52 recommendations on pages 52.3 to 52.4 without a recorded count. 27 Mar 02:11:56 27 Mar 06:00:05

Pikitup reform strategy and performance plans

On 31 July 2025, the 42nd Extra-Ordinary Council Meeting debated Item 92, the Pikitup trading services reform strategy. 31 Jul 00:46:39 FF+, EFF, ActionSA, GOOD and ANC speakers welcomed the Pikitup trading services reform strategy, with GOOD and the EFF calling for accountability and full use of grant money. 31 Jul 00:46:39 The DA said it had no problem with the Item 92 Pikitup strategy but complained that the executive gave the Section 79 committee no synopsis. 31 Jul 00:46:39

On 30 March 2026, ActionSA's Cllr Mashala cited Pikitup's 56% vacancy rate in the debate on items 20 to 24. 30 Mar 06:11:06 The DA's Cllr Sekhu said on 30 March 2026 that Pikitup is in a cash-flow crisis, with grounded fleet, landfill sites refusing entry and only 6% of invoices paid on time. 30 Mar 06:11:06

On 31 March 2026, Cllr Makamo supported Item 100, the Pikitup performance improvement action plan, for the ANC, citing waste minimisation, digital solutions and fleet challenges. 31 Mar 05:41:48 In the Item 100 debate, MMC Masuku said National Treasury requires the trading services reform A3 plan. 31 Mar 05:41:48 ActionSA and the DA raised points of order saying they had submitted speaker names for Item 100, and the chair said no names were received from these parties. 31 Mar 05:41:48 Item 100, the Pikitup performance improvement action plan, was noted by voices, with no numbers announced. 31 Mar 05:41:48

On 24 June 2026, council debated Item 74, the Pikitup Performance Improvement Action Plan. 24 Jun 06:07:23 In the Item 74 debate, the ACDP supported the plan but warned about landfill space and the absence of waste-to-energy plans. 24 Jun 06:07:23 The EFF supported Item 74, the Pikitup Performance Improvement Action Plan, with warnings on insourcing and accountability. 24 Jun 06:07:23

ActionSA raised uncollected refuse, illegal dumping and weak bylaw enforcement in the Item 74 debate, and the DA objected to the lack of Section 79 scrutiny. 24 Jun 06:07:23 During Item 74, ActionSA's Cllr Mposula raised a quorum concern, and the chair said the item would be finished before any quorum check. 24 Jun 06:07:23 The Speaker ruled the yeses had it on Item 74 by voice, and the DA recorded its opposition to the process under Rule 84. 24 Jun 06:07:23

Illegal dumping, landfill and clean-up campaigns

On 26 March 2025, the DA's Cllr Koekemoer described river pollution and unspent waste-sorting money, and said the DA notes the report with grave concern. 26 Mar 05:10:03 The PA's Cllr Pitso asked on 26 March 2025 whether Pikitup clean-up campaigns are effective. 26 Mar 05:10:03 On 26 March 2025, the EFF's Cllr Mkasi urged Pikitup to insource contract workers, and the ANC's Cllr Madiba asked City Parks, Public Safety and unions to help on illegal dumping. 26 Mar 05:45:10

An MMC replied on 26 March 2025 to points including illegal dumping and the Kya Sands landfill, and said Pikitup would close the Kya Sands site. 26 Mar 05:56:56 Council agreed items 15 to 19 on 26 March 2025 after the MMC's reply and the member in charge's closing. 26 Mar 05:56:56

In the State of the City Address on 20 May 2026, the Executive Mayor acknowledged that landfill space is running out and reported waste diversion and illegal dumping results. 20 May 02:32:05 The Executive Mayor's State of the City Address on 20 May 2026 also gave water network figures and JRA road and bridge outputs. 20 May 02:32:05

Promises on Kya Sands and informal settlements

On 26 March 2025, an unidentified councillor replying as MMC said "in a week or two we should be able to go to market" for security at the Kya Sands landfill. promise 26 Mar 05:56:56 The record lists no later follow-up on the promise to go to market for security at the Kya Sands landfill site. promise

On 26 March 2025, an unidentified councillor said areas would be unveiled "this coming week" where solar power would be rolled out in informal settlements, off the Eskom and City Power grid. promise 26 Mar 05:56:56 An automated check linked a 29 January 2026 answer on City Power solar farms to the 26 March 2025 solar promise, rating it done, citing microgrids installed for informal settlements. promise An automated check linked the 20 May 2026 State of the City Address to the 26 March 2025 solar promise, rating it in progress, citing finalisation of the Zandspruit microgrid informal settlement project. promise