Christmas box / gift policy

City ‘Christmas boxes’ policy prohibits solicitations

 The City of Cape Town has instructed all staff members that approaching residents for ‘Christmas boxes’ and donations is against City policy.

The policy prohibits Solid Waste Management collection staff and other service personnel from asking residents for ‘Christmas boxes’ and ‘donations’.

If residents, however, believe that excellent service has been provided, they are at liberty to give a voluntary donation as a gesture of thanks and goodwill.

‘Problems have also arisen in the past where people posing as City staff have asked for money sometimes rudely and aggressively. They have also threatened that waste will not be collected if the demand is not met. The City will not tolerate such behavior,’ says the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Utility Services, Councillor Ernest Sonnenberg.

Any incidents of intimidation by City staff can be reported to the call centre  on 0860 103 089 between 08:00 and 16:30. Please ensure that you include the date, time, place and preferably a vehicle registration number, so that the culprits can be identified. The reports will be investigated immediately and, where residents are willing to testify, the City will prosecute offenders. If you know of outsiders posing as City officials, please report the matter to the South African Police Services.

 Published by the City of Cape Town.

 2013/11/29

Christmas box policy – Postman

We received an enquiry from a resident regarding the postman who knocked on his door and said that the policy with regards to “Christmas boxes’ has been approved and that they are allowed to ask for a “Christmas box”.

When this was tested with the Postal Depot in Brackenfell, the Supervisor confirmed that they are not allowed to ask for anything, and that if they do receive something, it must be declared.

2013/12/04