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The City of Cape Town says it is working around the clock to ensure the provision of its daily janitorial services after it was halted a few months ago.
The cleaning service was stopped after the City ran out of hepatitis vaccinations for janitors. As a temporary solution, the City had been using internal, permanent depot cleansing staff to clean the toilets in the informal settlements.
“The City would like to emphasise that this is a temporary measure aimed at ensuring that basic health standards are met until such time as the procurement and roll-out of hepatitis vaccinations for janitors can take place,” said Xanthea Limberg, mayoral committee member for Informal Settlements, Water and Waste Services; and Energy.
“The City assures residents that it is working hard to resolve the supply chain management issues and will continue to keep residents informed of progress. As soon as the City is able to vaccinate awaiting janitors, the local labour programme will re-commence”.
Janitors are contracted from within the affected informal settlements as part of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) to ensure that local labour is utilised. Prior to commencing their contracts, all janitors are required to be vaccinated against hepatitis.
“Unfortunately, as a result of an unforeseen supply-chain management procurement issue, the City has been unable to vaccinate any newly contracted janitors for a number of months. This has resulted in the janitorial programme being temporarily halted until such time as the City can ensure the health and safety of janitors,” said Limberg. “The City is aware of the frustration felt by informal settlement communities as a result of the halting of this programme.”
