WESTERN-CAPE – In a strategic move to bolster waste services and enhance operational efficiency, the City of Cape Town’s Urban Waste Management Directorate has announced plans to procure new and replacement plant and equipment valued at approximately R285.7 million for the 2023/24 financial year.
Alderman Grant Twigg, the Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management, recently visited the Bellville Refuse Transfer Station at Sacks Circle to inspect and showcase a sample of the vehicles and equipment acquired thus far in the current financial year. The remaining fleet is expected to be delivered between February and June 2024.
The primary focus of this procurement initiative is to improve service reliability by replacing aging equipment and fortifying resilience against challenges such as load-shedding. The move aligns with the City’s commitment to maintaining a high standard of waste management services.
The allocated budget for this year’s plant and vehicle procurement is distributed across various categories:
Compactors (R94.9m):
- 18 x 6×4 refuse compactors to replace aging fleet.
- 10 x 4×2 refuse trucks for illegal dumping and litter removal by the Cleansing Department.
Trucks (R60.4m):
- 3 x 7,000-litre fuel bowsers for refueling standby generators during load-shedding phases.
- 2 x 800 kVA skid-mounted standby generators for key operational sites.
- 5 x street washers to maintain cleanliness across City geographical areas.
- 7 x crane trucks for maintaining cleanliness across City geographical areas.
Earthmoving equipment (R72.5m):
- 7 x sleigh-articulated trucks.
- 1 x hooklift truck.
- 1 x dozer for landfill operations.
Light vehicles (R53.1m):
- 133 vehicles of various types for various waste management functions.
Alderman Grant Twigg emphasized the critical importance of timely equipment replacement and efficient budget utilization in the fight against waste-related challenges. He stated, “Ensuring that budgets are spent effectively and equipment is replaced at the right time is essential to winning the war on waste.”
Highlighting the potential consequences of delayed refuse collection, Alderman Twigg noted that it could lead to illegal dumping, which is more expensive to address than routine waste management. He further stressed the significance of vehicle availability, emphasizing a continuous effort to maximize efficiency through both procurement and improved repair and maintenance programs.
With this substantial investment in waste management infrastructure, the City of Cape Town is poised to strengthen its commitment to providing reliable and effective waste services to the community, while simultaneously addressing environmental health concerns.
Tags: City of Cape Town