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

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

On Monday, 1 September 2025, a group of contract workers assembled to protest against “pay cuts” when a municipality vehicle unintentionally drove into the crowd, leading to serious injuries for 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 escalated as workers learned their wages had been reduced in the renewed contracts without prior notification or explanation.

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

To their dismay, their renewed contracts revealed a new salary of merely R4,800 per month, which meant a shocking R4,000 reduction—a fact that left the workers astonished.

Additionally, workers voiced their frustration over the lack of formal communication regarding the unilateral pay cuts.

Sandile Hlophe, a prominent voice against the salary cuts, 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.

“Currently, we are not receiving the same salaries as before,” Hlophe stated.

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

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

Another worker, who chose to remain anonymous, added: “As you can see, we possess two different payslips with varying 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, a worker with twenty-eight years of service, emphasized the lack of benefits for employees, including medical aid and pensions.

Despite these concerns, the workers are eager to maintain their jobs but have made it clear they cannot “operate under these conditions.”

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

In the memorandum, the workers warned that further delays in addressing their concerns 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, engaged with the protesting workers and successfully convinced them to disperse.