Durban — Tensions remained high at the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, where 34 former workers from the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) awaited their court hearing, after protesting naked last week.

Failing to receive any communication from eThekwini Municipality Mayor Cyril Xaba, the mood among the protesters remained defiant as they grappled with the aftermath of their recent arrest during a protest against unfair working conditions.

Xaba, has yet to directly engage with the former workers, raising questions about the administration's commitment to addressing their grievances.

Joe Mabaso, First Deputy President of the Municipal and Allied Trade Union of South Africa (Matusa), bemoaned the untenable situation faced by workers who have served the municipality for more than a decade yet remain without permanent employment.

"We are at war with the Mayor and his manager," Mabaso said. He also condemned what he described as an "arrogant" disregard towards the workers' rights by the City.

The situation escalated into confrontation last Thursday when the Metro Police intervened, resulting in the arrest of approximately 34 protesters following their peaceful demonstration that turned ugly when some took off their clothes and protested naked.

Slindile Sokhela, one of the leading voices of the protest, expressed her frustrations. "We have camped in the park for over two weeks demanding our jobs back," she stated. According to Sokhela, the police had instructed them to vacate the park despite their demands being peaceful at that time, intensifying the conflict between the workers and the authorities.

State prosecutor Nkululeko Msiya told the court that this was the accused’s first appearance and that they were all out on warning.

Magistrate Ashwin Singh said face three charges - with the first being the indecent exposure of body parts and dancing naked in public as they are above the age of 18.

The second charge is for disobeying the laws when they were told to move out of the park by the officers. The third charge is for not dispersing when ordered to do so by police officers.

The matter is remanded to February 12, 2025 for presentation of evidence by witnesses which includes statements or reports from the municipality on the matter.

uMkhonto weSizwe Party representative from ward 26, Sifiso Xulu said that he and other MK Party members were in the court to support the former EPWP workers who in their opinion deserved to be addressed by their former employer for their grievances.

He said the City should not treat them as strangers as they have worked with the City for a decade.

“They are allowed to have grievances and the City should explain to them how they came to the dismissal of these workers as many of them claim to have issues with the transparency,” he said.

A request for comment has been sent to eThekwini mayor’s spokesman Mluleki Mntungwa. Comments will be added once received.

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