Frustrated construction workers block road
MORE than 300 disgruntled construction workers who have been caught up in the conflict between the eThekwini Transport Authority and taxi operators, blockaded the intersection of Dumisani Makhaye Drive (MR577) and the Inanda arterial road with rubble and burnt tyres yesterday.
The workers had been employed on the R20-billion Go!Durban public transport project but on April 23, taxi operators with guns chased them off a number of sites.
The head of the eThekwini Transport Authority, Thami Manyathi, said taxi operators wanted a slice of the construction works, but there was a mismatch between the opportunities available and the skills required.
The protesters work for major contractors including Group Five, WBHO and Steffanuti Stocks, and for local subcontractors.
They said if they could not go back to work, they would not get paid, and they felt demonstrating on the road and damaging some of the construction property would finally attract someone to listen to their “ignored voice”.
Traffic was congested as the protest started about 11am and ended about 4pm. The protesters said they would blockade the intersection again at 4am today.
After being driven off the site last month, Manyathi said the transport authority was going to meet the taxi operators to find a resolution, but yesterday there been a clash of schedules and they were yet to meet.
“Unfortunately the meeting has not been held because of the diaries of some of the political leaders, and the office of the mayor was still to confirm the date and the time,” he said.
Asked why the transport authority was willing to negotiate with armed taxi operators who threatened workers, Manyathi said: “There are different aspects that can be negotiated, but it is a criminal action to threaten people and trespass on the sites. The contractors have already laid charges. The law needs to take its course.“
Contacted for comment, Group Five, Steffanuti Stocks and WBHO said all questions had to be referred to the transport authority.
Manyathi said he was waiting for feedback from the office of the deputy mayor, Nomvuzo Shabalala, who was to facilitate the meeting.
“We do understand the urgency and, as people who are in charge of delivering the project, it is paramount that we deliver as quickly as possible.
“Any day lost costs us money. The longer it takes you to complete the project, the more costs you end up having to carry at the end of the day,” he said.
Sifiso Mthethwa, the chairman of the Greater Northern Region Taxi Association, said they had been told the meeting was to be on Tuesday last week, “but there was a report that Transport MEC Willies Mchunu wants to be part of the meeting… We are still waiting.”