Johannesburg — Just weeks after a highly publicised city cleaning campaign ahead of the G20 Summit preparations, concerns are growing that the initiative has already lost momentum, with several areas of the Johannesburg CBD once again showing signs of neglect.
Residents, commuters and business owners say piles of rubbish, clogged drains and illegal dumping have begun reappearing across parts of the inner city. Photographs taken this week show trash scattered along pavements and stormwater drains, with burnt waste and stagnant water accumulating along street curbs.
The clean-up drive, which was launched by the City of Johannesburg earlier this year, was meant to improve the city’s appearance ahead of international attention linked to the upcoming G20-related engagements. At the time, municipal teams were seen clearing waste, sweeping streets and removing illegal dumping sites across several parts of the CBD.
However, some residents say the improvements were short-lived.
“For a few weeks the streets were clean and refuse was collected regularly, but now the rubbish is coming back,” said one commuter who travels through the inner city daily.
Waste accumulation in the CBD not only affects the image of South Africa’s economic hub but also poses health and environmental risks. Blocked drains filled with plastic and burnt waste can lead to flooding during heavy rains and create breeding grounds for pests.
Urban analysts say sustained cleaning operations and stronger enforcement against illegal dumping are necessary if the city wants to maintain cleanliness in the long term.
Businesses operating in the CBD have also raised concerns that visible litter and deteriorating street conditions discourage customers and investors.
The City of Johannesburg has repeatedly stated that maintaining cleanliness in the inner city requires cooperation between municipal services, businesses and residents.
For now, however, many streets in the Johannesburg CBD appear to be slipping back into the same conditions that prompted the clean-up campaign in the first place.
