EXCLUSIVE | “This is a clear effort to distort facts about Reco” – Vincent Mahlatsi

Staff Reporter

Bloemfontein – A heated fallout has erupted after Mangaung Executive Mayor Greg Nthatisi was accused of distorting facts during an oversight visit at the Southern landfill site.

Nthatisi visited the landfill on Thursday alongside Deputy Mayor Lulama Titi, MMC for Waste Management Nthabiseng Jonas, and Acting Superintendent of Landfills Tshitso Mohatlane, after a letter written 3 days ago to the team on the availability of diesel in the entire region in what quickly turned into a tense and confrontational inspection.

During the visit, the Mayor allegedly accused Metro supervisor T. Motsamai of “colluding and lying”, claiming that no work was being done at the landfill.

SPOTTED | Nthatisi visits landfill amid fuel price surge

He didn’t hold back.

“It’s because of you we are in this!” NthatisireportedlytoldMotsamaiastensionsescalated.

Attempts by Acting General Manager for Waste Management, Poppy Nooe, to support Motsamai’s explanation were reportedly dismissed, as the situation grew increasingly heated.

FUEL DILEMMA
Things took another dramatic turn when Reco Mobile PTY LTD were accused of working only two days a week and allegedly relying on Mangaung Metro for diesel.

But Reco’s Vincent Mahlatsi strongly pushed back.

Speaking exclusively to STEPUPSANEWS, Vincent Mahlatsi described the claims as “a clear effort to distort facts.”

“We do not use any facilities of the municipality.

Mangaung Metro did not have diesel from 25 March 2026, yet we continued working until the 30th using our own fuel,” he said note “ we hold a wholesale diesel and jet fuel distribution licence, we could not rely on Mangaung for diesel and those acquisitions could not be, attached is our license”.

“It was reported on the 25th or so that Mangaung metro didn’t have diesel while we continued with work, they only received their supply a day or two before ours ran out on the 30th, which was our last day on-site. Had we used their diesel we would not have stopped working, because they had diesel”.

Mahlatsi said the company has evidence to back this if needed.

“We have videos of all machines, recording start and stop times. Every day worked on-site is captured through live video, which can be provided if needed.”

He also pointed to a circulating video, saying it raises serious concerns about how information was handled.

“The video is regrettable and undermines employees’ rights to speak freely.

It shows an MMC official arguing with a municipal employee about a report and instructing him not to contradict it.”

“The employee insists there was no contractor on-site during the committee visit, yet he is pressured to say otherwise. This is a clear attempt to distort facts against Reco.”

On the impact of rising fuel costs, Mahlatsi said global reduction of circulation are putting pressure on operations.

“Fuel price hikes have, to some extent, triggered a force majeure clause in our contract. However, waste management is an essential service, and any adjustments must be negotiated without affecting service delivery.”

Addressing compliance, Mahlatsi maintained that Reco operates fully within the law.

“Reco is a juristic entity with the right to trade at any level, including with government. There are no restrictions attached to this.”

“Reco is a 100% black owned we do not rent any machine, arguably there is no company that rents such Mechines in the free state that we know of and we do not have long-term contracts for full operations. We are also not providing services at the North site.”

Conditions at the Southern landfill remain under scrutiny as the situation continues to unfold.

Bellow is a video taken on Saturday, 4 April 2026.

WATCH

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