Ethekwini Municipality: Worker Stabbed and Another Hit by Vehicle During ‘Pay Cut’ Protest

Durban – A contract worker from eThekwini Municipality was stabbed, and another sustained injuries during a protest outside the Durban Natural Science Museum.

A group of contract workers assembled on Monday, 1 September 2025, to voice their opposition to “pay cuts” when a municipality vehicle accidentally drove into the crowd, causing serious injuries to one worker, including broken legs.

In the chaos, another worker was stabbed.

Both injured workers were quickly taken to a nearby health facility for medical attention.

The situation intensified after workers realized their wages had been slashed in the renewed contract without any prior warning or explanation.

Workers informed The Bulrushes that until their contracts ended earlier this year in March, they were making R8,400 per month.

To their disbelief, the renewed contracts indicated a new salary of only R4,800 per month, reflecting a staggering R4,000 reduction—a revelation that left the workers shocked.

Moreover, workers voiced their anger regarding the absence of formal notification about the unilateral pay cuts.

Sandile Hlophe, a prominent figure against the salary reductions, explained that the affected workers are employed through DSW Contractors, which includes Gezinsila Cleaning Services, Khabzo Projects, Sbonisiwe Uhlanga Trading Enterprises, Titus, TZBN, Wasteng, Mashalofu, Gabhisa, and Njabs Investments.

“At present, we are not receiving the same salaries as before,” Hlophe said.

“This issue is not limited to KwaMashu; it impacts all of Durban, including areas like Harmasdale, Chesterville, and Lamontville.

“We learned about the salary cuts from our employers, not from the municipality. When we approached Mayor Cllr Cyril Xaba, he claimed he was unaware of the cuts imposed on us.”

Another worker, who wished to remain anonymous, shared: “As you can see, we have two different payslips with different amounts.

“Last month, we were not paid for four days of work, but the payslip we received still reflected those unpaid days without any updated amount for this month.”

Thobile Zulu, who has worked with the company for twenty-eight years, pointed out the lack of benefits for workers, including medical aid and pensions.

Despite these issues, the workers are keen to keep their jobs but have made it clear they cannot “operate under these conditions.”

They submitted a memorandum detailing their grievances to an eThekwini Municipality official at the Durban Natural Science Museum.

In the memorandum, the workers warned that any further delays in addressing their issues would force them to escalate the matter to the South African Local Government Bargaining Council and the Speaker’s office.

Two councillors, Sizwe Mdlalose from Ward 104 and Mazibuko Sihle from Ward 46, interacted with the protesting workers and successfully persuaded them to disperse.