The eThekwini Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal has taken decisive legal action by obtaining an urgent Labour Court interdict against striking employees, including members of the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU), amidst an ongoing wave of illegal and unprotected industrial action. This move comes as a response to escalating tensions and disruptions to essential services within the city.
The interdict, issued by the Labour Court, serves to prohibit any unlawful conduct, acts of violence, and interference with the municipality’s activities, services, and operations. This legal measure underscores the municipality’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety and well-being of its residents.
In a joint media briefing held on Monday, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube emphasized the importance of maintaining law and order in the face of the strike. Dube-Ncube reiterated that while the Constitution grants the right to fair labor practices and the right to strike, these rights are not absolute and must be exercised within the bounds of the law.
“It does not give the right to infringe on the rights of other citizens or the right to destruction of infrastructure and property just because one is exercising their other right. That must be clear,” Dube-Ncube emphasized.
The Premier highlighted the detrimental impact of the strike on essential municipal services, noting that the violent nature of the protest has left many employees fearing for their safety. Instances of intimidation and attacks on non-striking employees have further exacerbated the situation, leading to disruptions in water supply, refuse collection, electricity provision, and primary healthcare services.
Moreover, the strike comes at a critical juncture for the municipality, which has been striving to recover from the aftermath of severe disasters, including the COVID-19 pandemic, civil unrest in July 2021, and floods in 2022 and 2023. The Premier lamented that the ongoing strike has impeded progress in repairing damaged infrastructure and delivering essential services to residents.
“We have observed with great concern the attacks of city employees at service delivery sites. Some have been shot while attending to service delivery complaints, and a number of water and sanitation, electricity infrastructure, including vehicles, have been damaged or completely destroyed,” Dube-Ncube stated.
Expressing condemnation for the violent actions perpetrated by strikers, particularly their impact on innocent patients and citizens, the Premier vowed that the provincial government would no longer tolerate such behavior. She warned against trespassing on premises, the forceful removal of staff from their work posts, and the denial of patients’ rights to access healthcare facilities.
“Communities who have been without water and electricity for several days are bearing the brunt of this unlawful strike action. Scenes witnessed over the past few days are pure criminality, economic sabotage, and tantamount to treason,” Dube-Ncube asserted.
In light of the escalating tensions and the severe disruptions caused by the strike, the eThekwini Municipality is conducting a comprehensive assessment of the strike’s impact and financial implications. The municipality remains committed to resolving the situation through dialogue and legal means, with a focus on restoring essential services and ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents.
The developments in eThekwini underscore the broader challenges facing South Africa’s municipal sector and the urgent need for constructive engagement between stakeholders to address labor disputes and safeguard public services. As the situation unfolds, stakeholders are urged to prioritize the interests of the community and work towards a swift and amicable resolution.
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