Residents have expressed anger at the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality for failing to collect their refuse while they pay their rates and services. Several streets in the CBD have rubbish piling up on street corners and major streets in Mhluzi are riddled with debris.

The workers want the municipality to stop outsourcing services and upgrade their post grading to level 6 from level 4.

The Municipal Manager, Advocate Bheki Khenisa, said upgrading workers to grade 6 means municipal rates will have to be increased to pay their salaries.

Pankiso Mnisi, who claims to be representing municipal workers, said the municipality can cut expenditures to upgrade workers to grade 6.

Services at the licensing department and civic centre resumed last Friday after workers staged a protest last Tuesday.

Municipal spokesperson Prudence Magutle said the municipality is still engaging to find a resolution to the disputes.

•Waste collectors resumed protest action at the municipal offices earlier today. Police responded to the scene, where shots were fired at protesters at roughly 09:00. The crowd has dispersed from the municipality and are now gathered at the municipal workshop (magasyn).