Azra Hoosen | ah@radioislam.co.za
14 March 2024 | 16:30 CAT
3 min read

The South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) strike, now entering its third week, has severely disrupted municipal services, prompting concerns and calls for action.

The Democratic Alliance calls for KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube Ncube’s intervention, and the EFF claims they have started a clean-up campaign in the Overport area in an effort to tackle the mounting refuse crises caused by the strike.

Meanwhile, Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda pledges to clear the service delivery backlog within two weeks following the strike. According to Mayor Kaunda’s public address on Wednesday, efforts are underway to resume essential services, repair infrastructure, and ensure the well-being of residents and businesses affected by the disruption.

Assad Gaffar, Chairperson of the Westville Ratepayers Association and chairperson of the eThekwini Ratepayers Protest Movement said that service delivery has come to a halt due to threats, intimidation and loss of life. “Those who do want to work are afraid to work. Many of the Samwu workers had to return to work due to the interdict, but what is happening now is that they are currently going to depots but are not leaving them. No technicians are going out for water and electricity, and refuse is not being collected,” he said.

Gaffar asserts that opportunists are exploiting the situation by charging residents anywhere from R10 to as much as R100 per bag for refuse collection, yet they fail to dispose of the waste properly. He pointed out that refuse bags are scattered in bushes and along roadsides as can be seen in videos circulating online, which is exacerbating the problem rather than alleviating it.

“Even though the Premier of KZN has stepped in, it does not seem that they have reached a solution or a way forward,” he said.

The eThekwini Ratepayers Protest Movement exerted pressure on the city to open the landfill sites, resulting in their eventual opening.

“Starting on Sunday, we successfully cleared the majority of the waste from Westville, and today, we are busy in Overport. Many of the businesses are grateful that we did this because they are also sitting with 3 weeks of waste,” Gaffar said.

According to Gaffar, some other communities have taken the initiative to manage waste in their areas. He believes that community leaders should intervene and offer support when services fail.

The Ratepayers Association has convened a meeting with the city manager to establish a deadline for the resumption of services. Gaffar stated that if the services are restored promptly, the Association may have to pursue legal action or enlist individual contractors to address the water and electricity issues, with the intention of reclaiming costs from the city.

He pointed out that in many instances, sabotage has occurred, and damage has been inflicted on the municipality’s infrastructure. “There are major issues across the city. Like in Dawncliffe, Westville, there is an issue with the main waterline, and North of Durban, there are major issues as well,” he added.

Gaffar emphasised that this crisis underscores the glaring inadequacies in the city’s leadership

“This is where we are at, now engaging all parties. There was a call for the Mayor to step down, not that I am siding with him, but all blame cannot be put on Mayor Kaunda as he is not the Executive Mayor. When we say eThekwini has failed, we mean the full Executive, which consists of all political parties, including smaller parties. The reality is that the Executive Council of the city has failed,” he said.

Gaffar raised a crucial question, questioning the whereabouts and actions of leadership from major political parties such as the ANC, the DA, and the EFF, as well as smaller parties.

He urges people to unite and organise themselves to take care of the refuse accumulating on their streets.

LISTEN to the full interview with Muallimah Annisa Essack and Assad Gaffar, Chairperson of the Westville Ratepayers Association, here.