Municipality shuts down
The source said that union workers were adamant they would not return to the office until Kgoale has been dismissed.
LYDENBURG – It has been more than a week since Thaba Chweu Local Municipality’s (TCLM) offices closed down. This has resulted in residents being unable to pay their municipal accounts.
Electricity purchases have been heavily influenced and has resulted in limited electricity units being issued. All accounts now reflect being in arrears, because TCLM’s server is down and offices are closed.
Last Tuesday members of the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) downed tools, demanding the resignation of the municipal manager, Thoka Kgoale. Kgoale had to be escorted from his office by police after Samwu members arrived at his office, demanding his dismissal.
Last Thursday chaos erupted at TCLM when community members turned on each other. One group, which supported Kgoale, and another which opposed him clashed. Local police, as well as POPS from Hazyview, had to intervene. The two groups were dispersed by police firing rubber bullets.
Capt Kaizer Moela, Lydenburg SAPS communications officer, said on scene that officers are on high alert following the clash. He confirmed that several members of the two groups were injured when the scuffle broke loose.
Despite the unrest, a council meeting proceeded in the chambers of TCLM. Steelburger/Lydenburg News attended the meeting where councillors voted in favour of issuing a letter of dismissal to Kgoale.
He has seven days to respond to the letter.
During the meeting, ANC councillors also requested the dismissal of the executive mayor, Selina Mashego. Their request was denied by Speaker Tiny Mabuza. Her decision to refuse the request was supported by several councillors. On Tuesday this week, a reliable source in TCLM told Steelburger/Lydenburg News that the electricity in the municipal offices had been sabotaged.
The entire building was without power for the rest of the day. He said the biggest challenge is the payment of municipal accounts. “Even if residents pay their account via electronic fund transfers (EFT), it will not be captured as the server is also down. Residents purchasing electricity thus only receive limited electricity units, as it still reflects as their accounts were in arrears.”
The source said that union workers were adamant they would not return to the office until Kgoale has been dismissed. It is not certain if and when the offices will reopen.
