Durban municipality grapples with unpaid contractors and completes key port road upgrades

The eThekwini Municipality in Durban announced that its financial position is improving, yet several water and sanitation contractors have staged a protest, accusing the city of withholding payments and sidelining them under a new contracting model. Mayor Cyril Xaba said the municipality is addressing the issue through ongoing discussions and training on the new management system.

Separately, the municipality completed a R127.9 million road rehabilitation programme that upgraded 65 lane kilometres across 13 key routes serving the Port of Durban, including Umgeni Road and the M4. Acting Deputy Director Thanda Zulu said the upgrades will enhance the movement of goods and support economic activity at South Africa’s busiest container port.