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Johannesburg refuse collection resumes after wage deal with union

Published

Pikitup services restarted after the South African Municipal Workers' Union (SAMWU) and the City of Johannesburg signed a wage addendum on 3 November. Some areas still wait for pick-ups, and a resident leader said the problem is not fully solved.

Municipal workers had been on strike, which affected refuse collection, water and electricity. Local businesses felt the effects for two weeks before Pikitup services resumed. Backlogs remain in some areas.

The two sides signed an addendum to a Politically Facilitated Agreement (PFA). SAMWU Regional Secretary Nthobani Nkosi called it a historic day. He said the PFA will be a funded vehicle that makes sure workers are paid properly.

The city committed to R10.3 billion in salary increases over the next two years. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana warned against this in April. He said the city is already in financial distress and that an unfunded increase would break the Municipal Finance Management Act.

Eleanor Hugget, a former Ward 73 councillor in Orange Grove, said the situation was unbearable. She said it is not completely resolved yet.

Key facts

Who
Nthobani Nkosi (SAMWU Regional Secretary); Eleanor Hugget (Former Ward 73 Councillor in the Orange Grove area); Enoch Godongwana (Finance Minister); South African Municipal Workers' Union (union party to the wage dispute)
What
Municipal workers had been on strike, affecting refuse collection, water and electricity. SAMWU and the City of Johannesburg signed an addendum to a Politically Facilitated Agreement on 3 November, and refuse collection appears to be running again, though backlogs remain and details of funding are unclear.
When
5 November 2026
Where
Johannesburg, Orange Grove
Status
Reported

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