The Democratic Alliance (DA) in eThekwini is extremely concerned after contract workers from the Water and Sanitation Department stormed municipal offices yesterday, demanding salaries that have not been paid for months.
This is yet another sign that the City is in serious financial trouble. The DA has been warning the municipality about this for months. During the October Council meeting, we raised concerns about the weak financial position and cash reserves that are below National Treasury requirements. Instead of listening, the mayor responded with arrogance and dismissed our warnings.
Not paying these workers means that repair teams will not be available, and as a result response times to burst water pipes and sewage overflows will take much longer. This will affect daily life for residents, slow down service delivery, and worsen living conditions across the city.
Workers are unpaid, services are collapsing, and residents are left to suffer. Yet the coalition partners keeping the ANC in power continue to defend a failing administration instead of putting eThekwini first.
The DA calls for urgent action to fix the City’s finances, pay workers, and restore responsible leadership. eThekwini needs leaders who listen, take responsibility, and put people first, not leaders who ignore problems while the City collapses.
The DA will keep fighting for accountability, proper service delivery, and a city that works for everyone.