Angry workers disrupt council meeting
The council meeting could not take place over the bellowing of protesting municipal workers and had to be postponed.
Striking municipal workers disrupted today’s council meeting, having amassed in the public gallery bellowing songs of protest.
It is believed that the workers are opposed to being paid a municipal grade three salary, when councillors and directors are earning on a higher municipal grade four salary scale.
The cacophony of singing and chanting in the council chambers made it impossible for the council meeting to proceed.
A crucial discussion between the council and the auditor general with regards to AbaQulusi municipality’s finances had to be postponed to next Tuesday, when it became clear that the striking workers would not allow the meeting to continue.
Mayor Patience Khaba remained securely behind closed doors in her office during the protest, and hosted private meetings with the chief financial officer, auditor general and the speaker of the council before a decision was taken to postpone the meeting.
Heavy police presence did little to discourage municipal workers from their cause.
