The eThekwini Municipality’s waste woes have gone from bad to worse with enraged waste contractors dumping rubbish on the N2 highway near Isipingo south of Durban.

According to reports by the Daily News the contractors were protesting against non-payment by the eThekwini Municipality.

Gaddafi Sibiya, a businessman from the Delangokubona Business Forum (DBF) which the contractors are allegedly aligned to, told the Daily News that the contractors were tired of not being paid by the municipality.

“We will be shutting down the road until the municipality explains to us why we have not been paid and why there are no funds,” said Sibiya.

He added that they would continue dumping the rubbish all over the city since the municipality wants to do all the work themselves.

Municipality distances itself from the drama

Meanwhile the municipality issued a statement on Monday evening notifying residents of refuse collection disruptions in several areas and distancing itself from the dispute.

“The Municipality is currently facing a disruption of refuse collection in the following areas: uMlazi, KwaMakhutha, Mbumbulu, Isipingo, Folweni and Cato Manor. This is due to a payment dispute between the main contractors and sub-contractors,” the municipality said.

It added that the relationship between the main contractor and sub-contractor did not fall within the scope of the City.

“In the interim, Cleansing and Solid Waste is engaging law enforcement agencies to escort internal trucks to provide the service,” the municipality noted.

The City urged residents to keep all refuse within their property boundaries to avoid litter from spreading all over.

“Residents will be informed when the normal refuse collection resumes. The City is working around the clock to resolve the situation,” it concluded.