eThekwini municipality urges residents not to put out refuse bags

The eThekwini municipality has urged residents not to put out their black refuse bags.

In a statement issued on Friday, eThekwini municipality’s spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela, confirmed that Cleansing and Solid Waste Unit (DSW) is currently unable to provide refuse service collection and street sweeping in and around Durban due to the on-going strike action, reports Northglen News.

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“Residents are requested to keep all refuse within their properties, or to take it to the nearest landfill sites. The municipality will notify residents when waste collection resumes. We would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused to residents,” he said.

On Wednesday, the City released a statement saying they have decided to halt their decision to hire members of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Military Veterans on a higher wage scale. According to the striking DSW workers, eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede had employed former MK Veterans in their unit at pay grades vastly higher than the rest of the rank and file staff, without any consultation.

The move comes a municipal workers brought the Durban city centre to a standstill blocking major freeways and dumping piles of rubbish in the main streets.

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