Pray the News
Municipal staff too traumatised to comeback to work
The Herald - Monday 20 October
Abstract
Nelson Mandela Bay municipal workers who have been robbed and held at gunpoint while on duty are refusing to return to work — even after they have been medically cleared. This is affecting the city’s response to service delivery complaints. A report tabled at a recent public health committee meeting detailed incidents of workers being held at gunpoint and robbed of their belongings while responding to water and power outages.The report covered the period between May and August which saw a total of 33 municipal employees receive counselling for various incidents, including robberies, accidents and the witnessing of traumatic events. Occupational health, safety and wellness acting director Nomfundo Faltein, who presented the department’s report to the committee on October 7, said on Friday that the divisions mostly affected were workers fixing blocked drains, roads and power outages. She said there had been an outcry from nearly all committees regarding workers being mugged and robbed while on the job.
“The workers mostly affected are those delivering services that are the core needs of the community,” Faltein said. “Only yesterday [Thursday], we had a plumber who was out fixing pipes on nine properties in Motherwell and he was robbed. “As he was exiting the second house on his list, a group of men approached him and robbed him. “Meanwhile, the other households are waiting on the municipality to fix their plumbing issues and the end result is that people will say the metro isn’t working and delivering services. “It’s the very same residents who are robbing our workers. “Communities should protect workers because they’re providing services they need.” Faltein said the most recent victim had been booked off because he felt unsafe and anxious and had to be provided with anxiety medication.
“He’s been booked off and while he’s at home, the work is standing still, meaning residents aren’t given services.”
She said the city’s Employee Assistance Programme offered trauma counselling, where workers were seen by psychologists and given tools to deal with the upsetting incidents.
“We’ve realised that at other times, others stay off longer
‘The workers mostly affected are those delivering services that are the core needs of the community
because they fall into a depression and we refer them to a psychologist,” she said.
“Some workers use these incidents as a [reason] for not wanting to come back to work and exploit the system.”
More Background
Municipal workers in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa, are facing significant safety challenges while performing essential duties, such as repairing water pipes, power outages, blocked drains, and roads. According to a recent report presented to the public health committee, these employees have been repeatedly robbed at gunpoint, leading to trauma that prevents them from returning to work even after medical clearance. This has directly impacted the city's ability to respond to service delivery complaints, causing delays in critical community services.Key Details from the Report (May to August Period)
- Incidents and Counseling: A total of 33 municipal employees received counseling for various traumatic events, including robberies, accidents, and witnessing distressing scenes.
- Affected Divisions: Primarily workers handling plumbing, road maintenance, and electrical repairs—the core services needed by residents.
- Recent Example: On October 16, 2025, a plumber in Motherwell was robbed while fixing pipes at multiple properties. He was approached by a group of men after leaving the second house, leading to him being booked off work due to anxiety and feeling unsafe. He required anxiety medication, and his absence halted services for other households.
People to pray for:
Nomfundo Faltein, the acting director of occupational health, safety, and wellness.
Prayer Pointers
- Pray for Divine Protection Over the Workers: Father, we ask for Your hedge of protection around the municipal workers in Nelson Mandela Bay as they serve their communities, shielding them from harm and danger. Surround them with Your angels to guard their paths. Scripture: Psalm 91:11 - "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways."
- Pray for Emotional and Mental Wellness: Lord, heal the hearts and minds of these workers who have faced trauma from robberies and threats. Grant them peace that surpasses understanding, replacing anxiety with Your comforting presence. Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7 - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
- Pray for Physical Safety in Daily Duties: Heavenly Father, as these workers repair essential services like water, power, and roads, keep them safe from violence and accidents. Let no weapon formed against them prosper. Scripture: Isaiah 54:17 - "No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me," declares the Lord.
- Pray for Restoration and Strength in Wellness: God, restore the wellness of those affected by depression or prolonged stress from these incidents. Renew their strength so they can return to work with courage and vitality. Scripture: Isaiah 40:31 - "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
- Pray for Success in Crime Fighting Efforts: Lord, guide the authorities and community leaders in Nelson Mandela Bay to effectively combat crime, bringing justice and peace. Soften the hearts of wrongdoers and empower efforts to protect the vulnerable. Scripture: Romans 13:4 - "For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer."
Prayer
Heavenly Father,We come before You today, lifting up the municipal workers in Nelson Mandela Bay who face danger and trauma while serving their communities. Surround them with Your divine protection as they go about their duties, commanding Your angels to guard them in all their ways, just as Your Word promises in Psalm 91:11.Heal their hearts and minds from the anxiety and fear caused by these robberies, granting them Your peace that surpasses all understanding. As they present their burdens to You in prayer, may Your peace guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, according to Philippians 4:6-7.Keep them physically safe from violence and harm, declaring that no weapon formed against them will prosper, as stated in Isaiah 54:17. Restore their strength and wellness, renewing those who have fallen into depression or prolonged stress, so they may soar on wings like eagles, run and not grow weary, walk and not be faint, in line with Isaiah 40:31.Finally, Lord, guide the authorities and community leaders in their efforts to combat crime, empowering them as Your servants to bring justice and punishment to wrongdoers, as described in Romans 13:4. Soften the hearts of those who perpetrate these acts, and bring peace and safety to the region.We ask all this in Jesus' name. Amen.
Listen to the prayer here
Today's Pocket Prayer Card
Psalm 91:11
Romans 13:4
Isaiah 40:31
Isaiah 54:17
Philippians 4:6-7
Download it here
Psalm 91:11
Romans 13:4
Isaiah 40:31
Isaiah 54:17
Philippians 4:6-7
Download it here
Compiled by GAP Ministries
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