Water to all areas restored, however, some reservoirs still filling up slowly
The Mayoral Committee will be sitting tomorrow, with rumours swirling that an agreement has been reached between the municipality and striking municipal employees.
The Municipal Manager, Advocate Bheki Khenisa, also confirmed that he’s petitioned for a special council sitting following the mayoral committee meeting, though a sitting was not officially sanctioned by Speaker Andries Mabena by the time of publication.
The crippling strike, which started five weeks ago, was ignited by the possible outsourcing of solid waste removal services. The municipality has since backtracked on the outsourcing, halting negotiations with external service providers for the time being.
Striking employees have also demanded a salary upgrade from a Level 4 to Level 5 municipal grading, and 36 months in back pay.
Meanwhile, residents argue that if the municipality intends to give in to the workforce’s demands, then the municipality must also compromise on solid waste removal fees for the duration of the strike for residents.
Opposition parties and civil security structures have been cleaning the town over the last couple of weeks, with the municipality issuing a notice this morning for residents to refrain from putting out their rubbish yet again today.
Mayor Diphala Motsepe told www.mobserver.co.za that negotiations with striking employees were ongoing, confirming that rubbish removal services have been suspended again.
Mayor Motsepe furthermore said that water services have resumed in all wards, though some reservoirs were filling up slowly due to overuse by residents who received water first. He again called on residents to use water sparingly until all reservoirs have been filled.
Water supply to Hlalamnandi and areas like Rockdale have been restored, and high lying areas like Kanonkop and Dennesig, who remained without water until yesterday, have also reported that their taps are finally running again.
According to reliable sources within the municipality, Premier Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane has overruled the possible dismissal of striking employees, especially those who’ve been arrested for public disorder.
According to labour law, employees are automatically dismissed after 21 days of absence without notice.
Employees have vowed to continue the strike if their demands aren’t met.
