Mayor outlines improvements to janitorial services

After an extensive review of the efficacy of the roll-out of janitorial services, including studying evidence provided by the Social Justice Coalition (SJC), it has become evident that the City of Cape Town has not managed this programme effectively.

While the City did deploy 282 janitors to identified areas, there was insufficient monitoring of the service provided, inadequate training, and delays in the provision of protective clothing.

Of further concern is that little or no provision was made for community consultation or education on the nature of the service provided.

In light of these shortcomings, I would like to apologise to the affected communities and make it clear that the City is determined to address these identified weaknesses, in conjunction with the SJC and other relevant role-players. I have instructed the City Manager to investigate the lack of monitoring by the Utility Services Department and take appropriate action.

The provision of janitorial services, a first project of its kind in South Africa, at this scale is an important part of our strategy to build a Caring City and to improve levels of service delivery in informal settlements.

It must be noted that when initiatives of this kind and scale are implemented, it often takes considerable time to ensure the proper functioning of such measures.

After a series of meetings between the City of Cape Town and the SJC, we have agreed on the following remedial actions:

1. Outcomes:

a) The City is working on improving levels of services in janitorial services and will use the Khayelitsha area as a pilot to up-scale the service over the next two months.

b) Key components of this up-scaling programme include:

1. Improving social facilitation and communication with communities.

2. Community education on health and sanitation issues.

3. Health and safety requirements of workers.

4. Induction and appropriate training of janitors.

5. Informing the community about the contents of the Service Level Agreements with contractors so that they can assist the City in monitoring their performance.

2. Action Plan

a) The City will work in partnership with non-governmental organisations and community-based organisations to successfully implement this programme.

b) Monthly monitoring meetings will be scheduled with the Mayor's Office and all other stakeholders. The Mayor will closely monitor the revised roll-out of this service to communities.

c) The City's Policy on Janitorial Services will be evaluated and public engagements will be solicited as part of the policy development process. A mini-summit will be convened within a month to provide the basis for the development of a City Policy on Janitorial Services

d) The City will deploy additional resources to assist with the management and up-scaling of this programme.

The City is confident that these remedial measures will address the identified shortcomings of the programme thus far, and we will continue to adopt measures to improve the quality of service provided as and when required.

Statement issued by Executive Mayor of Cape Town, Alderman Patricia de Lille, October 3 2012

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