Joburg’s Pikitup launches weekend blitz to tackle mounting waste backlogs in these areas

Johannesburg’s waste management utility has deployed teams across six depots this weekend to clear collection delays caused by protest action. Pikitup, the City of Johannesburg’s waste management entity, rolled out an emergency weekend recovery plan running from 14 to 15 March 2026. The operation focuses on areas serviced by the Randburg, Roodepoort, Central Camp, Midrand, Selby and Marlboro depots, all of which have experienced significant delays in recent days.

According to Pikitup spokesperson Anthony Selepe, teams at each of these depots will be working through the weekend without a break until services are normalised. “Pikitup will be working over the weekend to implement a waste collection recovery plan aimed at normalising services in parts of the city affected by recent operational disruptions, including protest-related incidents,” Selepe said. Prior to the weekend recovery plan, residents had been advised to drop their waste off at Pikitup’s Integrated Waste Management Facilities.

However, the surge in people taking up that advice created an unintended consequence, with several of those facilities experiencing higher-than-usual volumes and temporary overflow. Selepe acknowledged the strain this placed on the facilities but was quick to reassure residents that the situation was being handled. “Pikitup is aware that this has resulted in increased volumes and temporary overflow at some of these facilities,” he said. “The entity is actively managing the situation and implementing measures to ensure that waste is cleared, and facilities continue to operate effectively,” Selepe added.