Text by Phindile Madlala

Images by Wendy Khumalo

Election Day – 08/05/2019 has finally come and the City Of Durban is still in a state of disrepute due to the two week strike by eThekwini Municipality workers, which has brought the Durban CBD to a standstill last week. Workers from eThekwini’s Water, Sanitation and Electricity Departments downed tools and waste removal and water services were disrupted affecting hundreds of households.

Violent protests ripped throughout the city after municipal workers went on strike, demanding salary increases. This came after municipal workers discovered that the City was giving Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans (MKMVA) members preferential treatment in terms of promotions and salary increase. Water pipes and sewer lines had not been fixed till this date. This is rather a sad concern as the situation is affecting residents who have nothing to do with the cause of the strike.

Even under these unpleasant conditions, eThekwini community members did not mind to stand in the long queues of St Andrews Street with the stench. All that was in people’s minds was to exercise their democratic rights to vote for change and for change to come.

Previous posts:

https://inkanyiso.org/2019/01/22/2019-jan-9-seeing-president-ramaphosa-guarantees-votes/

https://inkanyiso.org/2016/08/15/2016-aug-3-erection-elections/

https://inkanyiso.org/2019/05/22/2019-may-22-sa-general-elections/

https://inkanyiso.org/2019/03/28/vote-me-art-seminars/

https://inkanyiso.org/2019/04/07/2019-april-1-i-f-p-inkatha-freedom-party-manifesto-launch/