Protesting municipal workers target City facilities
Unconfirmed reports further indicate that the protest action is as a result of workers not receiving TERS Covid-19 benefits after the national lockdown was eased.
The City of Mbombela Local Municipality (CMLM) workers went on the rampage at the Nelspruit Licensing Department in Suikerriet Street this morning.
Queuing residents, who had already entered the centre, were told by two men wearing CMLM overalls to leave the building.
The two were joined by a group of about eight others who dumped rubbish at the entrance to the building and instructed queuing resident to vacate the premises.
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Nelspruit Licensing Department staffers allegedly locked the doors as the group banged on the security gates.
Vusi Madonsela, a city resident who was scheduled to write his learner’s licence test this morning, said, “I arrived earlier than my scheduled time to witness what appeared to be CMLM workers banging on the entrance gate and dumping rubbish outside.
“They instructed us to evacuate the centre after which the gates were locked and we continued queuing outside.”
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Another resident, Cornelia du Plooy said, “They entered the building and loudly demanded that everyone inside leave.
“After they had chased everyone outside, they left the building, saying that they would be staging a march to the CMLM offices.
“The police arrived about half an hour later but did not get out of their vehicles as the group had already left the scene.”
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According to reports, a number of CMLM centres have been targeted today. Unconfirmed reports further indicate that the protest action is as a result of workers not receiving TERS Covid-19 benefits after the national lockdown was eased .
CMLM spokesperson, Joseph Ngala, commented, “The talks between management and labour unions are ongoing.
“We do not anticipate any strike as we are optimistic that the matters will be resolved.”
This is a developing story. Lowvelder will provide more information as further details emerge.
