{
  "id": 328768,
  "title": "Deputy mayor apologises for rubbish not being collected in Joburg",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/deputy-mayor-apologises-for-rubbish-not-being-collected-in-joburg",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-08T12:09:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/news/deputy-mayor-apologises-for-rubbish-not-being-collected-in-joburg/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Johannesburg's deputy mayor, Loyiso Masuku, has apologized to residents for the city's streets being filled with rubbish for over a week. This issue arose after 300 contract workers went on strike, disrupting Pikitup's operations. The workers were demanding permanent jobs instead of being hired as casual employees. The situation became so severe that the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department had to assist Pikitup in resuming refuse collection. Deputy mayor Masuku confirmed that the police will continue monitoring dumping sites and Pikitup depots to ensure service continuity. As of today, 11 out of 12 Pikitup depots are operational, and the company will work throughout the weekend to clear the backlog. Masuku urged the striking workers to allow Pikitup to continue collecting waste. Contract workers, who are hired by Pikitup's service providers, are not employees of the City of Johannesburg. Masuku emphasized that the city needs proof of any promises made to the contract workers regarding permanent jobs.",
  "summary": "Loyiso Masuku said the City of Joburg never agreed to absorb the casual workers as permanent employees",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Citizen",
        "title": "In case you missed it: Snow to hit Joburg? | 18 KZN councillors assassinated | Deputy mayor on uncollected rubbish",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/in-case-you-missed-it-snow-to-hit-joburg-18-kzn-councillors",
        "published": "2026-08-08T18:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}