Businesses and residents are frustrated and irritated at being deprived of a basic need, as taps again ran dry early this morning (June 29).
According to uThukela communications officer Jabulani Mkhonza, management and political leaders are currently having a meeting to discuss a way forward.
Mkhonza promised to give residents feedback after the meeting as to when water will be restored.
Initial story: Watch: uThukela workers burn tyres as they go on strike in Ladysmith
Workers in the Water & Sanitation department of uThukela District Municipality embarked on a strike action on Tuesday (June 26) due to a wage dispute.
The strikers blocked off the entrance to the uThukela depot in the Pieters Industrial Area.
On Wednesday (June 27), an angry mob decided to come into town to air their grievances. They made use of TLBs to break through the gates and even a wall at the entrance to the uThukela premises in Forbes Street.
Excrement was loaded onto the back of uThukela trucks and even onto bakkies, and hurled at the entrance to the building.
Some managers’ vehicles were seen covered in brown streaks as they left the premises.
A stench lingered in the air due to the large amount of faeces that was off-loaded.
Read also: Watch: uThukela workers throw excrement at municipal offices and on managers’ vehicles during strike
The workers demanded that the district mayor address their issues. uThukela Mayor Siphiwe Mazibuko spoke to the protesters and it is understood that their demands were met.
Also read: Update: uThukela mayor speaks to angry workers to try and solve their problems
Once notification of payments into their bank accounts was received on Wednesday, the strike was called off and the protesters went back to work.
Yesterday (Thursday), the protest flared up yet again as workers indicated that some of them had received payment in full, some had received half payment and others not at all, hence the strike continued.
Police officers are monitoring the situation and keeping a watchful eye to make sure no further vandalism occurs.
We will update this story once we know more.
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