Refuse collection resumes in some parts of Durban
eThekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda said that 81 employees are on precautionary suspension for misconduct.
MUNICIPAL workers, particularly in the engineering, electricity and water and sanitation units, started returning to work on Tuesday (March 12). This is according to eThekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda.
Kaunda was addressing journalists on a service-delivery recovery plan after municipal workers embarked on an illegal strike that has hampered service delivery throughout eThekwini.
Also read: Stop dumping refuse outside garden sites – ward councillor
The aim of the briefing was to give an update on the programme of action to restore basic services following a prolonged illegal strike by workers affiliated with the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu).
He said the strike has not only crippled service delivery city-wide, but it has also been accompanied by violent acts of criminality which have resulted in the loss of life and injuries to some of their staff members.
“It must be clear that we will not allow vandalism of infrastructure and attacks on non-striking employees because we are of a firm view that while we exercise our right to strike, we must never infringe on the right of others, especially the community who have been denied access to water and electricity and other essential services,” said Kaunda.
Since the strike began on February 27, the municipality has not been able to fulfil its mandate to provide some of the most basic services to residents.
“However, following the intervention from all spheres of government, we are pleased that the negotiations with SAMWU have resumed, and a memorandum was issued by the union on Monday directing its members to return to work,” he said.
A total of 81 employees are on precautionary suspension for misconduct committed during the illegal strike while 1 891 employees have been given notices of misconduct and 88 employees have been dismissed for their participation in the unlawful industrial action which started on February 27.
Disciplinary hearings for the 81 suspended employees have been scheduled for four days, starting from March 13. Kaunda said a team of 300 volunteers has been put together to clean the Durban Central Business District and secondary CBDs, such as Pinetown, Isipingo, Verulam, oThongathi and Hillcrest, from last week.
Also read: Endeavours to keep river clean, curb illegal dumping celebrated
He is optimistic that the municipality will clear the waste backlog within two weeks.
“We are pleased that the resumption of refuse removal services has started, with 80% of our depots fully operational.
“The provincial government, in collaboration with the private sector and the City, has embarked on a massive clean-up operation. This will see over 3 000 community workers taking part in this initiative. This will bring to 18 000 the number of volunteers who will be deployed in all corners of the municipality to clean areas that are worst affected by the strike.
“These efforts are being supported by the engagement of already existing contractors who have also started to reduce the waste-collection backlog. Councillors will fully participate in these clean-up campaigns across the City,” he said.
Regarding electricity, he said teams have been able to reduce electricity faults from 80 to 50 as of Tuesday. He appealed to residents to be patient while the municipality tries to restore the provision of basic services.
“Therefore, we want to plead with community members to refrain from blockading roads because it poses yet another challenge to our already strained resources. When roads are blocked with burning tyres, our staff are delayed and, at times, prevented from reaching areas to resolve water and electricity faults.
He commended the community safety structures, such as community police forums and neighbourhood watches, who have been supporting law enforcement agencies by escorting municipal workers to restore services in certain areas.
Trucks of Durban Solid Waste (DSW) have started collecting refuse in various areas in eThekwini.
Ward 66 councillor Zoë Solomon said in a statement that refuse collection started on Wednesday morning (March 13).
Also read: eThekwini invests in smart policing solutions to enhance law enforcement
“DSW confirmed that refuse collection started this morning according to the Wednesday roster. They will endeavor to collect refuse placed out while also attending to the backlog created by the strike. The volume could hamper progress, the result of which will be determined at the end of the shift. They will continue collecting in accordance with the normal collection schedule,” the statement read.
The videos circulating on social media platforms show trucks leaving the depots to collect refuse. It’s alleged that truck drivers were followed and intimidated on The Bluff.
Solomon said, “There is evidence of trucks going out in different areas, and I would like to report that the Collingwood depot did leave for The Bluff as they were followed and intimidated and had to return, but this will be investigated as I have reported it to the relevant leadership.”
For more Southlands Sun news, follow us on Facebook or Twitter. You can also follow us on Instagram.
