Msunduzi Municipality (MM) officials have begun a clean-up of the Pietermaritzburg CBD after waste collectors overturned bins outside the City Hall. 

An illegal waste management strike derailed domestic refuse collection in the municipality, with angry workers from the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) allegedly resorting to dumping litter in the CBD to voice their concerns. 

In response to what the municipality labelled “sabotage”, officials launched Operation Clean-Up on Friday afternoon.

Mxolisi Mkhize, the deputy mayor of Msunduzi  Municipality, said the operation ensured that the litter and garbage thrown onto the streets and in front of the City Hall were cleared.

Mkhize stated that it will act against illegal waste management strikes and vandalism.

He labelled the workers’ conduct as unlawful, and such acts of sabotage are an attack on the dignity of the city and will not be tolerated.

The municipality has also obtained an urgent interdict from the Labour Court, prohibiting unlawful conduct, violence, and interference with municipal activities. 

“Employees engaging in such actions face disciplinary measures, and the principle of ‘no work, no pay’ is being strictly enforced. Legal processes are under way to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable,” it stated. 

The municipality advised that permanent positions are advertised openly, and individuals are encouraged to apply through proper channels. It added that at no stage will anarchy or illegal action be rewarded with permanent employment.

“The municipality assures residents and businesses that it remains firmly committed to restoring normality and ensuring that service delivery is not further disrupted. Acts of sabotage and deliberate interference with municipal services undermine the very communities we serve and will be met with the full force of the law.”

Felani Mndebele, the municipal manager, said it was a collective effort to respond to the growing waste backlog and restore dignity to affected areas.

“These clean-up efforts form part of interim measures to support communities while longer-term solutions are being addressed,” he said. 

Anthony Waldhausen, the CEO of Msunduzi Association of Residents and Ratepayers and Civics (MARRC), called on the municipality to dock the salaries of the striking staff who were responsible for littering to recover the cost of the clean-up.

He said that residents have had endless problems with the waste management unit in the past and at present, where refuse has not been collected. 

Waldhausen was concerned that the MM council increased refuse collection by 7%, but residents did not receive any reliable refuse collection services.

He said that the municipality needs to give residents a refund for uncollected refuse collection.

“The municipality needs to take urgent action to turn the waste management unit around and look at embarking on supporting major recycling campaigns to remove unnecessary waste going to the landfill site, and supporting local kerbside recyclable initiatives to collect recycled materials as part of income generation for the unemployed and local recycling companies,” he urged. 

Waldhausen said that there is also a need for a long-term waste management education campaign and to also fine those who are littering and doing illegal dumping. This would generate extra funds for the municipality.

Jimmy Naidoo, chairperson of the Northern Areas Residents and Ratepayers Association (NARRA), said residential waste has not been collected in two weeks.

Naidoo said uncollected waste left on the verges is ripped apart by stray dogs and monkeys, scattering litter on the verges.  

“Waste has always been a problem in Msunduzi. They don’t give us a rebate for dirt not collected, and when we said we would take our rubbish to City Hall, they told us we could be charged. Will they be charging these workers?” Naidoo queried. 

zainul.dawood@inl.co.za

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