Contractor downs tools at uMhlanga plant

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10-12-2025
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Northglen News
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Work at the uMhlanga Wastewater Treatment Works has stalled over alleged non-payment, sparking warnings of public health disaster.

WORK at the uMhlanga Wastewater Treatment Works has ground to a halt after the main contractor downed tools, allegedly due to non-payment by the eThekwini Municipality, a development local leaders warn could trigger a major environmental and public health disaster.

Ward 35 councillor Bradley Singh confirmed that contractors and subcontractors left the site last week after repeated delays in payment from the City’s Water and Sanitation Unit.

The stoppage comes at a critical time, with the festive season approaching and uMhlanga expecting a surge of holiday visitors.

In an urgent letter to municipal leadership, seen by Northglen News, acting Water and Sanitation Unit director Sibusiso Vilane was warned that immediate intervention was necessary to avoid “a catastrophic environmental disaster”.

“The primary objective is to ensure the contractor is promptly paid,” the letter states.

“This payment is necessary for the contractor to, in turn, pay the subcontractors and local workers. Failure to keep the contractors on site will lead to an immediate halt in essential operations.”

The shutdown, the letter continues, could trigger “widespread sanitation failure,” including raw sewage spilling into surrounding areas and large volumes of untreated effluent flowing directly into the ocean.

Singh said the collapse of operations at the plant would have dire consequences for coastal water quality, tourism, and local businesses.

“This would spell disaster for the festive season. A total of R20m was allocated for this project so it baffles me as to why the contractor was last paid in September. If work does not resume immediately, we could see sewage contamination along our beaches, which are already under pressure,” he said.

Earlier this year, Northglen News reported on ongoing mechanical failures and ageing infrastructure, and delays in upgrades at several wastewater facilities across Durban — issues that have repeatedly led to beach closures, sewage spills, and strained municipal response capacity.

The uMhlanga plant has been highlighted as one of the key sites requiring urgent rehabilitation.

The councillor said he has requested an emergency meeting with senior City officials to secure accountability and ensure payments are processed without further delay.

Singh urged the City to act before the situation deteriorates further.

“Residents and visitors cannot be subjected to another sewage crisis. The City must intervene now to avert an environmental and economic disaster,” he said.

Municipal officials had not responded to queries at the time of publishing.