Protest erupts over unpaid subcontractors at Umhlanga Wastewater Treatment Works
Allegations have surfaced that contractors at the Umhlanga Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) in Durban have left the site because they were not paid.
Image: Supplied
Subcontractors involved in the R60 million refurbishment of the Umhlanga Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) and its catchment area have downed tools and joined a protest, alleging they have not received payment for work done since September 2025.
The protest, which included hundreds of others, took place outside the eThekwini Municipality’s Florence Mkhize Building in Durban on Monday.
Contractors demanded payment from the Water and Sanitation Department, with a TikTok video showing them in the building's lobby amidst a heavy Durban metro police presence.
The Umhlanga WWTW refurbishment began six months ago to repair storm-related damage from April 2022.
The municipality stated that the scope of work includes the rehabilitation and functional upgrade of critical infrastructure, covering mechanical, electrical, civil, and structural elements.
eThekwini Municipality Ward 35 councillor Bradley Singh highlighted the severity of the situation, stating that he was notified of the non-payment two weeks prior and attempted to mediate between the eThekwini Water and Sanitation (EWS) and the contractor.
Singh described the issue as "critical and urgent", emphasising the need for immediate intervention to ensure the contractor is paid promptly.
He warned that the municipality must resolve the payment dispute to secure the continuity of work and prevent a potential public health and environmental crisis.
"This payment is necessary for the contractor to, in turn, pay the subcontractors and local workers," Singh explained.
He cautioned that a failure to keep contractors on-site would cause an immediate halt to essential operations, triggering a "catastrophic sequence of events resulting in widespread sanitation failure".
The ultimate consequence, he warned, would be "raw sewage spills across the affected areas," flowing directly into the ocean.
Councillor Thabani Mthethwa - DA eThekwini Caucus leader, said that during the October Council meeting, the DA raised concerns about the weak financial position and cash reserves that are below National Treasury requirements.
"Not paying these workers means that repair teams will not be available, and as a result, response times to burst water pipes and sewage overflows will be delayed. This will affect daily life for residents, slow down service delivery, and worsen living conditions across the city," Mthethwa said.
The eThekwini Municipality rejected claims that it does not pay service providers, highlighting that in the 2024/25 financial year, 98% of all creditors were paid within 30 days, in line with legal requirements.
"The remaining 2% of cases involved incomplete documentation or compliance queries, which must be resolved before payment can be processed. Delays caused by missing documentation or compliance issues are exceptions, and they are necessary to ensure value for money and adherence to audit requirements," the municipality explained.
In terms of audit standards, the municipality said it has to verify the receipt of goods and services before finalising payment to prevent financial loss.
Service providers, the municipality asserts, are responsible for submitting evidence to substantiate their claims. Where documentation is complete and compliance requirements are met, all service providers are paid within 30 days. In exceptional cases, the municipality asked for patience and understanding while it obtains the necessary evidence before committing expenditure.
zainul.dawood@inl.co.za