Municipal workers voice their discontent

Disgruntled municipal workers have made their voices heard over the current state of affairs at Endumeni Municipality which has been wracked with intrigue with the would-be suspension of a senior manager accused of nepotism and misconduct.
On February 24, the Moth Hall was full of dissatisfied workers who wanted to know why municipal manager, TP Biyela, has been suspended for almost three years as a court case drags on while Council resolved on Monday not to suspend the manager accused of ‘worse misdemeanours’.
The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) reacted immediately to the ‘Council’s poor stance on dealing with corruption and nepotism’ and handed the Council a memorandum demanding answers.

According to Deputy Chairperson, Siyabonga Ngwenya, Council is aware of evident proof against said manager but has still not suspended him.
“There is a Municipal Systems Act and a Code of Conduct for senior managers which reveals that if a senior manager is found having a misconduct, they should be subject to a precautionary suspension.”
The Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (IMATU) and SAMWU first brought up the matter on January 25 when they exposed the nepotism.
The matter was tabled in the same week but to no avail.
To this day, after two Council meetings, the unions have never received feedback on what took place in the meetings.

The second demand focused on the allegations that Endumeni Municipality had their category changed by the national department of Coo-operative Governance from category 2 to category 3.
This should have also meant an increase in salaries for all employees and Councillors but the Unions have said ‘only senior managers have received the increase’.
Acting Municipal Manager, T Makhoba, responded to the allegations stating that the matter is being deliberated by the Bargaining Council and is not confirmed. The Council re-tabled the matter concerning the unsuspended manager again last week.
SAMWU is expecting a response within 14 days, failing which, union workers will down tools.