{
  "id": 18311734,
  "title": "Here’s when you can expect your refuse to be collected by Pikitup",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/heres-when-you-can-expect-your-refuse-to-be-collected-by-pikitup",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-05T13:28:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/news/heres-when-refuse-collected-pikitup/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Johannesburg's waste collection service, operated by Pikitup, resumed collecting garbage after a week-long backlog cleared on Wednesday. However, several depots are still facing significant delays due to protests and a shortage of trucks. Union members were protesting the R10 billion politically facilitated agreement (PFA), which led to weeks of uncollected garbage piling up on the city's streets. Despite the ongoing issues, Pikitup provided an update on the remaining backlog and the expected timeframe for its resolution. As of Thursday, depots such as Randburg, Roodepoort, Norwood, Marlboro, Waterval, and Central Camp had the most extensive backlogs, with up to 37 loads yet to be completed in Randburg alone. Residents are asked to place their bins out on their regular collection days to allow the collection teams to service their properties. The South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) has signed an addendum to the PFA, addressing the union's grievances and ensuring that employees receive proper remuneration. Samwu Regional Secretary Thobani Nkosi affirmed the union's commitment to push for service delivery in all departments and areas of the City of Johannesburg.",
  "summary": "As of election day, Pikitup still had a backlog of at least 121 loads to complete across five depots in Johannesburg.",
  "key_points": [
    "Johannesburg's waste collection resumed on Wednesday after a week-long backlog.",
    "Randburg, Roodepoort, Norwood, Marlboro, Waterval, and Central Camp had the most extensive backlogs.",
    "Residents should place bins out on regular collection days for servicing."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}