ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
7 MARCH 2024

EThekwini Municipality has served 79 employees with notices of misconduct for engaging in unlawful conduct as outlined in the Disciplinary Procedure Collective Agreement.

These employees, from different units, face various charges in relation to their participation in the unlawful industrial action which started on 27 February 2024.

The employees served with misconduct notices are required to make submissions within a period of 10 days stating why they should not be dismissed.

In terms of Clause 18 of the Collective Misconduct, specifically 18.1 and 18.2.1 of the Disciplinary Procedure Collective Agreement, the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) has been informed of this unprotected strike and was allowed 48 hours to get the respective members back to work.

Furthermore, SAMWU has been given an opportunity to provide written submissions as to why an ultimatum should not be issued. SAMWU has not made any submissions to the Municipality. Hence, the Municipality is proceeding with this ultimatum in line with Clause 18.2.3.

The Municipality again reiterates that it has not received a memorandum of grievances or a petition from SAMWU apart for a one-page paper with Ekurhuleni Municipality pay scales which was submitted to the Office of the City Manager on 27 February 2024.

With regard to the Category 10 Wage Curve, it must again be highlighted that the categorisation of municipalities and the consequent wage curve of eThekwini Municipality is still under negotiation at a national level as it is a national competence.

Since last week, the intimidation and attacks on non-striking employees has resulted in the City not being able to respond to faults and restore basic services such as water, refuse collection and electricity across the City.

However, the City remains committed to urgently reinstating services such as the provision of water and electricity, while addressing security threats posed by vandalism, intimidation of staff, and infrastructure sabotage.

Working with various law enforcement agencies, safety measures continue to be implemented to ensure the wellbeing of Municipal staff and residents during this time. This includes a police escort for staff to service delivery points including clearing of roads, electricity faults, water leaks, burst pipes, and refuse removal.

RESIDENTS URGED TO WORK WITH THE CITY

The public is urged to work with the Municipality to ensure the speedy restoration of services.

The Municipality has received concerning reports regarding members of the public alerting striking workers about teams that are working in various areas to restore services, which has led to the attack of some employees.

Many communities have been without water and electricity for several days while patients have also sadly been unable to access health care.

WASTE REMOVAL

Waste collection services have been disrupted due to the strike action. This has affected the Cleansing and Solid Waste Unit’s refuse collection and street sweeping services. Residents are requested not to take out their refuse until further notice.

Garden refuse sites have also been temporarily closed. We request residents to keep their garden refuse within their properties.

Clean-up operations in the central business districts are being conducted.

We apologise for the inconvenience caused, especially to affected businesses and residents, and appeal for patience during this time.

ELECTRICITY

Teams are working tirelessly to attend to reported electricity faults, prioritising major power outages in several areas across the City.

WATER
 
The City assures communities that the restoration of water supply is being prioritised during the illegal strike.
 
Working with law enforcement agencies, the City is strengthening security at it various depots to allow employees to carry out their duties. This includes monitoring reservoirs without being threatened by striking employees.

With this intervention, some areas have already had their water restored while other areas have intermitted water supply. This is mainly due to lower reservoir levels. However, repairs and system recovery are already underway.
 
The impact is City-wide and affected areas include Hillcrest, Embo, Mariannridge, Mpola, Ntuzuma, Inanda, Redcliffe, Buffelsdraai, Waterloo, Parkgate, uMlazi, KwaMakhutha, Adams Mission, eNgonyameni, Phoenix, Verulam, oThongathi, Trenance Park and KwaXimba.
 
Water tankers are being deployed to these affected communities.

ENDS

Issued by eThekwini Municipality’s Communication Unit.