eThekwini strike: DA demands customer reimbursements

The Democratic Alliance in eThekwini is urging the local government to compensate those who were without service during the strike.

ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY FAILS RESIDENTS WITH BASIC SERVICE DELIVERY

Refuse collection was crippled by the eThekwini strike where some areas have had partially restored service delivery.

According to IOL the DA is standing on it call that people in eThekwini should be reimbursed for not getting the basic need service delivery.

In a statement that was produced by the party highlighted that throughout the ongoing strike, which has been allowed to continue without intervention, significant damage was inflicted on infrastructure.

This resulted in thousands of residents being deprived of essential services like water and electricity.

Additionally, the cessation of refuse collection services led to heaps of waste accumulating, causing inconvenience and discomfort for many residents who had to navigate through the mounting piles of trash and endure the unpleasant odours.

According to IOL the party emphasized the necessity for the eThekwini Municipality to take a firmer approach.

They reiterated their demand for the immediate dismissal of individuals, including city officials, who refuse to work.

ETHEKWINI STRIKE OUTBREAK

On February 27th, a large number of eThekwini workers associated with the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) ceased work and marched through Durban’s city center in an unprotected strike, seeking improved wages.

According to Ground up the strike had gone on for over two weeks leaving the people of eThekwini without services, including water, electricity, refuse removal, sewer repairs, and maintenance.

Workers went on strike for higher wages, complaining that their pay was lower than their counterparts in other metros, such as Ekurhuleni and Tshwane.

A general worker in eThekwini earns about R10 000 a month, while general workers in Tshwane and Ekurhuleni earn about R13 900, according to Xolani Dube, Samwu regional secretary in eThekwini.

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