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Author: Debra Sauer

New vehicles strengthen George Municipality’s refuse collection fleet

In the photo above: Mayor Browen Johnson and Cllr Erika Brown, MMC for Environmental Services looks on as Samuel Buys, a Supervisor Driver from Community Services demonstrates how to operate a refuse compactor. He is a driver of a compactor truck.

George Municipality has officially taken delivery of two new refuse compactors and two cage trucks last week as part of its ongoing commitment to strengthen refuse collection services and ensure cleaner, healthier communities.

The handover took place during a recent visit to the Environmental Services department by Executive Mayor, Ald Browen Johnson, accompanied by the Acting Director for Community Services, Sivuyile Mtila, and the MMC for Environmental Services, Cllr Erika Brown.
“As part of our Integrated Waste Management Plan and Integrated Development Plan, it is critical that the Municipality maintains a replacement plan for refuse collection vehicles,” said Executive Mayor Ald Browen Johnson. “Since 2022, we have been replacing two refuse compactors per year to ensure that this essential service is delivered consistently and efficiently.”

For the 2025/2026 financial year, the Municipality invested in two new refuse compactors at a cost of R2 745 000 per vehicle. According to the Executive Mayor, these vehicles will significantly strengthen the Municipality’s refuse collection fleet.
“These new compactors will improve refuse collection across our municipal area and help us to ensure cleaner communities, while reducing service interruptions experienced by residents,” Ald Johnson said.
In addition, the Municipality has procured two cage trucks specifically for the collection of green bags used for garden waste removal. Each cage truck was acquired at a cost of R1 532 144.
“The introduction of these cage trucks will greatly improve the efficiency of green bag collections and support our environmental management objectives,” the Executive Mayor added.
Ald Johnson emphasised that the investment in new vehicles goes beyond fleet replacement. “Upgrading our fleet is not simply about replacing vehicles. It is about ensuring that we continue to serve every resident effectively, support environmental sustainability, and uphold our responsibility to deliver quality municipal services.”

He further commended officials for their efforts, saying: “I want to acknowledge the Environmental Services teams for their hard work and commitment. Together, we are building a municipality that prioritises service delivery, environmental responsibility, and community well-being.”

Photos:

 

Mayor Browen Johnson takes a group selfie with the officials at Environmental Services.

The brand new refuse compactor trucks and cage trucks delivered.

Sivuyile Mtila, Acting Director: Community Services, Milton Ngqavu, Supervisor Driver and Mayor Browen Johnson have a lighthearted moment at the handover of the trucks. Ngqavu (61) plans on retiring at the end of the month.

Cllr Erika Brown, MMC for Environmental Services, Sivuyile Mtila, Acting Director: Community Services, Mayor Browen Johnson and Frank Tamboer, Manager: Refuse Removal, Collections & Minimization at the handover of the trucks.

GARDEN ROUTE DAM LEVEL AND HAARLEM DAM LEVEL – 4 February 2026

Garden Route Dam Level
Percentage storage at new raised dam wall height 43.75%
Rainfall for the previous days: 0.5 mm (Measured from 26 January – 2 February 2026)

Haarlem Dam Level
Percentage storage 21.00 %
Rainfall for the previous days: 0 mm (Measured from 26 January – 2 February 2026)

Please see the link to 2D water demand management measures being implemented currently: http://tinyurl.com/3439h4n7
The cooperation of all users of municipal water is essential and is greatly appreciated.

PUBLIC NOTICE: SCAM ALERT – Water or Electrical Disconnections

George Municipality warns residents, account holders, and job seekers to be vigilant of scammers impersonating municipal officials who threaten to disconnect your electricity or water supply, claiming your account is in arrears.

George Municipality does not disconnect electricity meters or water supply for accounts in arrears.

These fraudsters:
• Claim to be “Heads of Disconnections” or Finance officials.
• Threaten immediate electricity or water disconnections unless instant payments are made.
• Demand money for EPWP or other job opportunities, including job interviews.
• Contact residents via WhatsApp or phone, instructing payments into private accounts.

Important to note:
• The Municipality never demands instant payment via WhatsApp/phone.
• The municipality will 𝗡𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 request payments via e-wallet or any informal payment method.
• The Municipality does not charge money for job interviews or employment.
• Officials will not visit your property to block/unblock prepaid meters or collect payments.
• Bank Account details for the Municipality are reflected on your statement. No other bank details are valid for George Municipality.
• If you receive any suspicious calls, messages, or requests for payment or personal information related to municipal accounts, please take the following steps immediately: Report to South African Police Service (SAPS) and/or via Municipal Fraud Hotline 0860 044 044

For Assistance, please contact:
Account access or billing (Monday to Friday, 07:45 – 16:30) 044 801 9111 or accounts@george.gov.za citing your account number for reference.

Human Resources: 044 801 9367 | recruitment@george.gov.za

Stay alert. Verify before you pay. Report suspicious activity immediately! George Municipality – Working together to protect our community.

PUBLIC NOTICE: EARLY CLOSURE – MAIN BUILDING FUMIGATION

 

Please be advised that the George Municipality Main Building will close early on Friday, 06 February 2026, to allow for scheduled fumigation of the premises.

Closure times are as follows:

  • Cashiers: close at 15:00
  • All other public access areas: close at 15:30

The temporary closure is necessary to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for staff and members of the public. Normal operations will resume on Monday, 9 February 2026.

The Municipality apologises for any inconvenience caused and thanks the public for their understanding.

PUBLIC NOTICE: EARLY CLOSURE OF DLTC AND VTS

Members of the public are hereby advised that the Driver’s Licence Testing Centre (DLTC) and the Vehicle Testing Centre (VTS) will close early on Friday, 30 January 2026 due to circumstances beyond our control. Both centres will close at 14:00.
Normal operating hours will resume on Monday, 2 February 2026.
The George Municipality apologises for any inconvenience caused and thanks residents for their understanding.
Enquiries: 044 878 2400

UPDATE 2: Public Notice – Municipal Billing for January 2026

George Municipality has addressed the server issues preventing January statement download that some account holders are experiencing.

This link has now been deactivated to ensure no information is compromised. A decision has been taken to re-issue the January statements on Monday 26 January as a second run.

The link you receive will be encrypted and requires your new account number as password to download.

A PDF version of the shortened statement will also be attached.

If you have already received, downloaded and paid your January municipal account please ignore the second SMS and email run due to take place on Monday morning.

Please note that the Citizen Portal on the website has been disabled and will be reactivated on Monday  https://citizenportal.co.za/

Please access and follow the registration instructions.

Should you have any queries regarding account access or billing, please contact our offices during office hours (Monday to Friday, 07:45 – 16:30) in person, via 044 801 9111 or  accounts@george.gov.za_

 

OPDATERING 2: Openbare Kennisgewing – Munisipale Rekeninge vir Januarie 2026
Uitgereik deur George Munisipaliteit | 24 Januarie 2026 @ 13:00

George Munisipaliteit het die tegniese probleem opgelos wat veroorsaak het dat sommige inwoners nie hul Januarie-rekening kon aflaai nie.

Die vorige skakel is gede-aktiveer om u inligting te beskerm. Die Januarie-rekeninge sal weer op Maandag, 26 Januarie 2026, uitgestuur word.

Die nuwe skakel wat u ontvang, sal veilig (geënkripteer) wees. U nuwe rekeningnommer sal as wagwoord gebruik word om u rekening af te laai.
’n Verkorte PDF-weergawe van u rekening sal ook aangeheg wees.

As u reeds u Januarie-rekening ontvang, afgelaai en betaal het, ignoreer asseblief die tweede SMS en e-pos wat Maandagoggend uitgestuur sal word.

Neem asseblief kennis dat die Burgerportaal op die munisipale webwerf tydelik afgeskakel is en Maandag weer beskikbaar sal wees.

Besoek gerus: https://citizenportal.co.za/ en volg die registrasie-stappe.

Indien u enige vrae het oor u rekening of toegang tot u state, kontak ons gerus gedurende kantoorure (Maandag tot Vrydag, 07:45 – 16:30): skakel
044 801 9111, stuur epos na  accounts@george.gov.za of besoek ons kantore persoonlik.

PUBLIC NOTICE: FALSE INFORMATION REGARDING TAP WATER

George Municipality would like to inform residents of false and malicious information currently being circulated regarding alleged poisoning of tap water.
The Civil Engineering Services: Water Department has confirmed, in the strongest possible terms, that there is no truth to these claims. There has been no incident involving contamination or poisoning at any George Municipality water source.
The message being circulated, reportedly featuring a male voice speaking English, does not identify any specific water source, nor does it indicate where in the country such an incident is alleged to have occurred. Claims made in the message, including references to foreigners allegedly poisoning water, are completely unfounded and false.
George Municipality’s water is continuously tested in accordance with regulatory standards. The latest results confirm that the water is clean and safe for human consumption.
Residents are urged not to share unverified messages and to rely only on official communication from George Municipality.

OPENBARE KENNISGEWING: VALS INLIGTING RAKENDE KRAANWATER
Uitgereik deur George Munisipaliteit: 24 Januarie 2026

George Munisipaliteit wil inwoners in kennis stel van vals en kwaadwillige inligting wat tans versprei word rakende die beweerde vergiftiging van drinkwater.
Die Watersuiwering afdeling van die Siviele Ingenieursdienste verwerp die bewerings ten sterktes en het bevestig dat daar geen waarheid in hierdie bewerings is nie. Daar was geen voorval van die tipe besoedeling of vergiftiging by enige George Munisipaliteit-se waterbronne nie.
Die boodskap van ’n manlike stem wat Engels praat wat tans versprei word, wat die bewerings maak , vermeld geen spesifieke waterbron -of dui ook nie eers waar in die land die ’n voorval glo plaasgevind het nie. Die bewerings in die boodskap, insluitend verwysings na buitelanders wat na bewering water vergiftig, is heeltemal ongegrond en vals.
George Munisipaliteit se water word voortdurend getoets in ooreenstemming met Nasionale standaarde. Die huidige toetsresultate bevestig dat die drink water skoon en veilig is vir menslike gebruik.
Inwoners word versoek om nie ongeverifieerde boodskappe te versprei nie en om slegs op amptelike kommunikasie van George Munisipaliteit te reageer en te versprei.

Public Notice – Municipal Billing for January 2026

George Municipality would like to inform all residents that you will receive an SMS or email containing a secure link to access your municipal account statement.

Please note that the statement will not be attached as a PDF and must be downloaded via the dedicated link provided. This communication is not spam. The use of a password and secure download link forms part of the Municipality’s measures to protect residents’ personal information in compliance with the POPIA Act.

PASSWORD INFORMATION

The password required to view your statement is the new account number, which is clearly indicated in the SMS and in the subject line of the email issued by the Municipality.

The Municipality is currently experiencing a technical issue with the download server, which is being addressed. We thank residents for their patience and understanding and assure you that all technical issues are being attended to in real time. A further notice will be issued once all technical issues have been fully resolved.

Should you have any queries regarding account access or billing, please contact our offices during office hours (Monday to Friday, 07:45 – 16:30) in person, via 044 801 9111 or  accounts@george.gov.za_

 

Openbare Kennisgewing – Munisipale Rekeninge vir Januarie 2026

Uitgereik deur George Munisipaliteit 24 Januarie 2026

George Munisipaliteit wil alle inwoners in kennis stel dat u ’n SMS of e-pos sal ontvang met ’n veilige skakel om toegang tot u munisipale rekeningstaat te verkry.

Neem asseblief kennis dat die rekeningstaat nie as ’n PDF aangeheg sal wees nie en via die toegewyde skakel afgelaai moet word. Hierdie kommunikasie is nie strooipos (SPAM) nie. Die gebruik van ’n wagwoord en veilige aflaaiskakel vorm deel van die Munisipaliteit se maatreëls om inwoners se persoonlike inligting te beskerm ingevolge die POPIA-wetgewing.

SLEUTELWOORDINLIGTING

Die sleutelwoord wat benodig word om die rekeningstaat te besigtig, is die nuwe rekeningnommer, wat duidelik aangedui word in die SMS en in die onderwerp­reël van die e-pos wat deur die Munisipaliteit gestuur is.

Die Munisipaliteit ondervind tans ’n tegniese probleem met die aflaaibediener, wat aangespreek word. Ons bedank inwoners vir hul geduld en begrip en verseker u dat alle tegniese kwessies hanteer word. ‘n Verdere kennisgewing sal uitgereik word sodra alle tegniese probleme ten volle opgelos is.

Indien u enige navrae het rakende toegang tot u rekening of fakturering, kontak asseblief ons kantore gedurende kantoorure (Maandag tot Vrydag, 07:45 – 16:30) in persoon of 044 801 9111 of accounts@george.gov.za

 

George Municipality mourns the passing of official Arno Barnard

George Municipality mourns the recent passing of official Arno Barnard, a valued employee within the Directorate: Community Services.

Barnard was appointed on 1 July 2024 as a Foreman: Refuse Removal in the Department Refuse Removal, Collections and Minimisation. According to his manager, Frank Tamboer, during his tenure Barnard was known as a dedicated and hardworking employee who remained committed to the objectives of his department and directorate. He contributed meaningfully to the goal of maintaining a clean and healthy city.

Barnard fell ill in March 2025 and was thereafter on sick leave, during which time he was frequently in and out of hospital in his hometown of Vredendal.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, 22 January 2026, at the Parkdene Community Hall from 14:00 to 16:30. The funeral will take place in Vredendal.

George Municipal Manager, Mr Godfrey Louw, on behalf of George Municipality, extends sincere condolences to Barnard’s wife, Sue-Nay, his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. Barnard will be remembered for his dedication, professionalism, and commitment to public service.

GARDEN ROUTE DAM LEVEL AND HAARLEM DAM LEVEL

Garden Route Dam Level

Percentage storage at new raised dam wall height                 45,36 %

Rainfall for the previous days:                                                   57.5 mm (Measured from 13 – 19 January 2026)

Haarlem Dam Level

Percentage storage                                                                              29,00 %

Rainfall for the previous days:                                                  23 mm (Measured from 13 – 19 January 2026)

Please see the link to 2D water demand management measures being implemented currently: http://tinyurl.com/3439h4n7

The cooperation of all users of municipal water is essential and is greatly appreciated.

PUBLIC NOTICE: Temporary Closure of Conville Swimming Pool

George Municipality hereby informs the public that the Conville Swimming Pool will be closed to the public on Saturday, 24 January 2026, due to the hosting of the EDEN AQUATICS Gala.
The facility will reopen to the public as per normal operating hours thereafter.