Protesting municipal workers disrupt services

Residents of eThekwini Municipality have been advised that bin collections and street sweeping will not be done as per usual due to protesting workers.

They advised residents not to take out their dirt until further notice.

eThekwini Municipality communications spokesperson, Gugu Sisilana said this is due to the former Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) participants who have resorted to block gates in different depots and have intimidated staff and refuse collection contractors.

“This has made it impossible for normal collection of refuse to take place. Several areas have been affected by this disruption. Security personnel have been alerted of the situation at hand,” Ms Sisilana said.

“We request residents not to take out their refuse until further notice. Those who have taken out their refuse are requested to retrieve it and keep it on their properties. The City apologises for the inconvenience caused.”

Late last year and into the new year, disgruntled eThekwini Municipality workers went on a rampage and dumped dirt on the streets of the city.

The protesters were demanding an increase in salary, saying that their pay did not match that of workers in other municipalities. The impact of the strike saw many residents without water, electricity and waste removal.

In February this year, the EPWP workers also demanded that the council take a resolution to employ all 5 000 temporary workers who have been operating under the EPWP.

The ongoing strike over wage increases started on February 27. Services in municipal-run health clinics were also impacted.

In March the municipality obtained an urgent interdict against violence and intimidation attempts by strikers.

The striking workers caused disruptions to water and waste management in communities across the metro.

Affected areas included Hillcrest, Embo, Mariannridge, Mpola, Ntuzuma, Inanda, Redcliffe, Buffelsdraai, Waterloo, Parkgate, uMlazi, KwaMakhutha, Adams Mission, eNgonyameni, Phoenix, Verulam, oThongathi, Trenance Park and KwaXimba.