Opposition parties in eThekwini municipality have called for an investigation into the city's water and sanitation department after yet another murder of a municipal official at its Electron Road office in Springfield on Tuesday night.
This comes amid speculation the murder is linked to lucrative water contracts.
DA councillor Thabani Mthethwa said it was worrying that investigations into the killing of workers on duty have stalled.
“All these mafias are running amok, yet there is no willingness from both the political and the administration teams to curb these incidents,” said Mthethwa.
Police spokesperson Const Thenjiswa Ngcobo confirmed the incident, saying police in Sydenham are investigating a murder case after a 40-year-old man was shot on Tuesday.
“The victim was found lying on the roadside with multiple gunshot wounds to the body. The motive for the murder is unknown,” said Ngcobo.
The latest shooting comes after a water and sanitation official, Emmanuel Ntuli, was killed at his Mandeni home near KwaDukuza in November.
At the time eThekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda said Ntuli, acting senior manager for plants and logistics, had been a committed employee and had been accessible at any time to serve the public.
In September eThekwini municipality official Khumbulani Khumalo, 51, was killed.
The manager for community services in the water and sanitation department was found in his municipal vehicle with two bullet wounds to the head in the Etafuleni area in Inanda, Durban.
It's unfortunate that breadwinners end up losing their lives because of the problems within the organisation ... Some people are now wary of applying for positions as they fear for their lives
— Mdu Nkosi, IFP caucus leader
IFP caucus leader Mdu Nkosi said they were shocked by the latest killing at the Springfield depot.
“It's unfortunate that breadwinners end up losing their lives because of the problems within the organisation. This tarnishes the image of the organisation both internally and outside because we are losing good and competent people. Some people are now wary of applying for positions as they fear for their lives,” said Nkosi.
He said they had grown increasingly frustrated by the ongoing water challenges that often leave Durban residents high and dry.
He said there are people who tamper with key water infrastructure, holding residents to ransom.
“They know that if you switch off a certain valve people will be left without water. This necessitates for the city to hire water tankers from contractors, while it also has own-procured water tankers,” said Nkosi.
This also leaves municipal workers under utilised.
He blamed the ruling party for its failure to table a report that could shed light on the city’s water woes.
In February 2022, 50-year-old worker Amos Ngcobo was ambushed in his office in Electron Road, allegedly by three men who stormed the offices.
Two months later, a supervisor, 36, was shot multiple times on Old Main Road outside the water and sanitation premises.
All these incidents prompted calls from mayor Kaunda to make arrests.
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