The uThukela Municipality, located in KwaZulu-Natal, employees commenced a strike action as they complained that they were not provided an appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

A meeting was planned to hold last week Friday, July 17, between the unions and uThukela management to discuss general health and safety issues and the workers worries but the managers never showed up which automatically prompted the meeting to not hold.

The workers also complained about the problem of ‘no social distancing’ in the work vehicles and most of the vehicles were not fumigated.

According to South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) chairperson Mzwakhe Dladla, acting municipal manager B.H Khoza told them on Tuesday, July 21, that he would not take part in addressing any of the workers’ grievances.

This resulted in the workers embarking on a strike.

Dladla said Water and Sanitation general manager N.Z Khuzwayo told the unions and workers that he was not aware of any of the grievances.

Khuzwayo was in turn told to go back and consult with management.

Ladysmith residents raised their worries regarding the strike as essential service delivery issues were not being attended to.

“The situation is utter havoc. We need uThukela to be up and running so the town does not sit without water,” said one outraged resident.

Last week, two municipality officials tested positive for Covid-19. This is what prompted their fear.