Injured residents of Middelburg speak out against Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, demanding justice and accountability after multiple garbage truck incidents.
Negligence by Municipal Garbage trucks: A growing number of residents in the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality are breaking their silence, accusing the local government of gross negligence and emotional abandonment after suffering devastating injuries caused by municipal garbage trucks.
Among them is Allenda Magaga, a 35-year-old mother of four from the Tokologo informal settlement in Middelburg, who is now permanently paralysed. Another voice rising in frustration is Nonhlanhla Sibanyoni, the mother of a toddler who sustained head injuries after being struck by another refuse truck last year.
These are not isolated incidents. Allegations against Steve Tshwete’s municipal trucks include the death of a three-year-old boy, the injury of a one-year-old, and now, this shocking story of a mother rendered unable to walk.
Crushed Dreams at a Dumping Site
On 27 November 2024, Magaga’s life changed forever. She was at a local dumping site in Middelburg, collecting recyclable materials—her main source of income. She claims a municipal garbage truck unexpectedly reversed at high speed. Despite standing several metres away, she couldn’t escape in time.
“I tried to move, but the truck was just too fast. I got trapped under the trailer,” Magaga recounted. “People were shouting at the driver to move the truck forward so they could pull me out.”
According to Magaga, both the truck driver and her assistant were women, and neither offered her help after the incident. Instead, they allegedly left the scene, saying they had other work to do.
“They spoke about me as if I was just an animal lying there, not a human being in pain. That hurt more than anything,” she said.
Paralysis, Poverty and Pain
Doctors have since confirmed that Magaga has suffered irreparable spinal cord damage. The once-independent woman, who ran a small recycling business to support her children, is now bedridden and fully reliant on others.
Despite multiple attempts by her family to reach out to the Steve Tshwete Municipality for assistance with medical bills, she claims they have received no response.
“They never came to help. They promised to visit us and speak about compensation, but it was just empty talk,” said Magaga, who is currently seeking legal assistance to sue the municipality.
Another Family, Another Silence
Nonhlanhla Sibanyoni, 29, shares a similar story. Her toddler, Simanga, was injured by another speeding garbage truck in 2023. The boy sustained head trauma, and doctors recommended that he be taken to a specialist neurologist.
“The doctors were clear—he needs urgent specialist care. But I don’t have the money, and the municipality just doesn’t respond,” Sibanyoni said.
She says all her pleas for help have been ignored, even after formal communication.
The Municipality’s Deafening Silence
Municipal Manager Mandla Mnguni has not responded to media inquiries about these incidents. Victims say this silence is a pattern.
Residents in Tokologo and nearby settlements have expressed growing fear, saying municipal garbage trucks often speed through residential and informal areas, showing little concern for pedestrians and recyclers.
Legal Action on the Horizon
Both Magaga and Sibanyoni are now exploring legal avenues to hold the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality accountable. Human rights groups and community leaders have also been alerted, calling for immediate investigation into municipal accountability and driver conduct.
This growing outcry paints a damning picture of a system where the vulnerable are injured, ignored, and left to pick up the pieces alone.
A Call for Justice
The stories of Magaga and Sibanyoni are more than tragic—they are testimonies of systemic neglect, where injury, poverty, and paralysis are met with silence from those in power.
For now, justice remains elusive. But with the spotlight now shining on the Steve Tshwete Municipality, victims hope that the tide will finally turn in their favour.
If you or someone you know has been affected by municipal vehicle negligence, consider contacting local legal aid services or civil rights groups for support.
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