Water tanker drivers in eThekwini Municipality on Tuesday embarked on a wildcat strike, leaving 111 wards vulnerable.
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Water tanker drivers in eThekwini Municipality on Tuesday embarked on a wildcat strike, leaving 111 wards vulnerable .
Ednick Msweli, Executive Director for the Technical Services Department, said the drivers are embroiled in a dispute regarding a driver who was allegedly fired. They are demanding his reinstatement and are also unhappy about the rotational staff to fill acting positions.
The municipality has approximately 268 water tankers in four areas in the municipality. The allocation of tankers in four sectors are:
There are approximately 234 drivers that work in two shifts. Msweli said the strike was illegal and that the drivers have not spoken to senior management directly but rather to a supervisor. Msweli stated that the drivers are demanding the withdrawal of disciplinary action against the dismissed driver and that some rural areas will be hard hit.
“We issued the drivers with letters notifying them that they must come back within 48 hours,” he said.
At an Ethekwini Executive Committee meeting on Tuesday, DA Exco member Thabani Mthethwa called for 'strict action against rogue elements'.
eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba also called for disciplinary action if the drivers did not meet the ultimatum to return to work.
“We must not let them trample upon other people's rights,” he said.
Yogis Govender, DA eThekwini Exco member, stated that the beleaguered eThekwini Trading Services Committee is grappling with yet another water crisis.
“Drivers reportedly downed tools in protest over poor working conditions, allegedly citing unfair labour practices and an unsustainable rotation of staff required to act in long-standing management vacancies,” she said.
She said councillors have already had requests for water tankers denied due to the strike action.
“In a city where water is already scarce because of ongoing water cuts and persistent leaks that remain unfixed for months, it is once again residents, many already living on the edge of dignity, who bear the brunt of municipal failure,” she said.
Govender said that the DA will formally request that the municipality present a legally enforceable service recovery plan that prioritises emergency water delivery to the most affected communities.
“This plan must include immediate steps to restore water tanker and TLB services, a full disclosure of fleet status, urgent filling of critical management vacancies, clear implementation timelines, and independent oversight mechanisms,” she said.
zainul.dawood@inl.co.za