Strike losing all-round support, desperation sinks in
The roads are open after threats of a mass shutdown in Middelburg yesterday.
Even the police issued a notice of possible road closures while the municipality called on residents not to support the continued sabotage of municipal services by illegally striking employees.
Roads into and out of Nasaret, Rockdale, Extension 24, Mhluzi and other indicated areas, where road closures were expected, remain open with buses and other modes of public transport running smoothly.
The municipality has, however, confirmed that the strike remains ongoing.
Striking municipal employees are losing traction fast, with increasing desperation palpable in their ranks.
Over the weekend, Mayor Mhlonishwa Masilela’s mother’s house was targeted by thugs, who set tyres alight in a desperate bid to intimidate the first citizen.
Mayor Masilela opened criminal complaints against the culprits, and arrests are expected soon.
Meanwhile, a DA councillor also opened a case of intimidation against a prominent female shop steward who allegedly threatened to torch the municipality and thereafter target the homes of councillors.
It’s clear that support is dwindling, even among striking employees, against a throng of strike instigators, twelve of whom were suspended and face ongoing disciplinary charges.
Employees will also not receive pay for partaking in the unprotected strike.
The community is also no longer sympathetic towards workers’ demands, as all of their demands have been met up to now.
Shortly after the announcement of the planned shutdown, a concerned Mhluzi community member penned a strong rebuttal to workers’ plans.
“We cannot allow STLM employees to make us their puppets,” the resident said in an open letter to the community.
“Can we for once not set ourselves 100 steps back… let us rather fight against STLM employees for not providing the services they are paid to do, then head out to tackle the STLM leadership.”
For now, striking municipal employees are lying low in residential areas, and have instead gathered in groups at the civic centre yet again.
Residents should avoid the municipality, which remains closed.
