Strike halts DSW services

DURBAN Solid Waste workers have yet again downed tools in protest of some internal issues. This, according to the city, is an illegal strike by the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) workers and residents are advised to keep their refuse in their properties until the matter is resolved.

Ward 66 councillor, JP Prinsloo, said the strike has had a knockdown effect specifically on the Bluff. “Temporary staff has locked all the depot gates and permanent staff can’t access trucks to work. Senior management will get SAPS to intervene. Updates will be provided once available. Refuse can also be disposed of at the Bluff refuse site located on Grays Inn Road,” he said.

Prinsloo added that the strike relates to issues that saw municipal workers down tools in masses in Durban over salary disputes.

“Refuse service collection and street sweeping in and around Durban is affected. The Cleansing and Solid Waste Unit is doing all it can to resolve the issues as speedily as possible for service to go back to normal. Residents are requested to keep all refuse within their properties. We would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused,” said eThekwini Municipality’s acting head of communications, Mandla Nsele.

According to councillor, André Beetge, the strike that resulted in the non-collection of domestic refuse in Amanzimtoti will again affect collection in the southern wards on Friday.

“While we have had confirmation that the Kingsburgh depot is fully functional, strikers are hampering access at Amanzimtoti depot.

“On their request, I engaged with them and heard their concerns regarding the apparent permanent appointment of third parties instead of these positions rather being filled from their numbers, temporary employees that were supposed to be deployed for a maximum of six months in 2014 but who are still, five years later, on month-to-month contracts.

“While we are waiting for clarity on this situation, we have requested that they refrain from hindering contractors to enter and exit in the interest of enhanced service delivery, we are informed that a police contingent is already en route to attend,” Beetge said.

Updates on the situation at this point only seem to affect service out of Amanzimtoti, and Bluff depot is being monitored with an update to follow.

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