As December unfolds in Daveyton, the municipality grapples with a crisis as service delivery workers in Ekurhuleni down tools due to months of inconsistent pay. The issue, seemingly resolved after a workers’ boycott, has resurfaced, plunging the community into an unhygienic predicament. The turmoil began months ago during an Ordinary Council Meeting when service workers protested outside Germiston Precinct, demanding fair and timely payment.
Despite a temporary resolution that led to cleaned streets, the problem persists, casting a shadow over Daveyton’s December.
For nearly two weeks now, service delivery workers have refused to collect trash from households, transforming Daveyton into an increasingly unhygienic environment. Residents, grappling with the consequences, have witnessed individuals offering to collect trash for a fee. However, this makeshift solution proves futile as the collected waste ends up in public open spaces, worsening the problem instead of solving it.
The strike not only highlights the plight of service workers but also underscores the broader impact on community well-being. The uncollected trash poses health risks and diminishes the overall quality of life for Daveyton residents. Urgent intervention is needed to address the root causes of the labour dispute and find a sustainable solution for both the workers and the community they serve. As the holiday season approaches, the hope is for a swift resolution to restore cleanliness and normalcy to the streets of Daveyton.”
By Nomfundo Twala