Residents of Cape Town are reminded that City policy forbids Solild Waste personnel from soliciting Christmas boxes or any other kind of donation.

Over the past few years, we have received reports of residents being asked, sometimes aggressively, for Christmas boxes or donations. There have also been reports of threats directed towards residents that their refuse will not be collected if the demand for a Christmas box is not met.

The City will not tolerate such behaviour from our staff and has accordingly instructed all staff that soliciting for Christmas boxes and donations is prohibited.

‘If residents believe that excellent service has been provided, they are of course at liberty to give a voluntary donation to staff as a gesture of thanks and goodwill, but under no circumstances should they be approached or solicited for money. City staff are appropriately remunerated,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Informal Settlements, Water and Waste Services; and Energy, Cllr Xanthea Limberg.

It would be appreciated if residents could report any incidents of intimidation by City staff to the Call Centre on 0860 103 089 during office hours, from 08:00 – 16:30. Apart from the date, time and place of the incident, a vehicle registration number should be provided so that the culprits can be identified. Residents can also send an email to Wastewise.User@capetown.gov.za. Such reports will be investigated immediately and, where residents are willing to testify, the City will be able to take appropriate disciplinary action.

Residents should also be aware that certain opportunists attempt to pose as collections staff at this time of year. If residents suspect that the people who approach them are misrepresenting themselves, the matter should be reported to the South African Police Service.

Note to broadcasters: audio clips are available for download
For English: https://soundcloud.com/ct-media/cllr-xanthea-limberg-christmas-boxes-english
For Afrikaans: https://soundcloud.com/ct-media/cllr-xanthea-limberg-christmas-boxes-afrikaans