Uncertainty hangs over Mutale
Mutale Local Municipality employees have been downing tools for three weeks
LIMPOPO – Employees closed the entrance gates to the municipality, all in an effort about their placement post the local government election taking place this week.
They said they need answers from the municipal manager and the mayor in terms of the disestablishment of the municipality and portions being incorporated into Thulamela and Musina municipalities after 3 August.
The closure of the offices severely affected service delivery to communities, most of whom want to buy water.
Refuse removal has been affected, the traffic licensing station is closed and graders have stopped work.
When CV visited the municipality last Monday, the entrance gates were still chained closed.
The Chairperson of South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) in Mutale, Colbert Nempumbuluni, said workers cannot work as some are uncertain of their future post 3 August.
“We are worried that the mayor and municipal manager are not giving us a clear explanation as to the placement and this is frustrating. We know and understand that after the local government elections, some workers will be absorbed by the Musina Local Municipality while others will fall under Thulamela, but we still need a proper explanation.”
One of the affected community members by the workers strike, who wanted to remain anonymous, said life has become “a living hell” since the workers have downed their tools.
“I wanted to book for my driver’s licence testing, but I was surprised to see the gates closed and security officers told me to go back home as they didn’t know when the gates will be opened,” said another villager.
Spokesperson for Mutale Local Municipality, Thiathu Ravhura, could not confirm when services at the municipality would resume.
“We are in discussions with Samwu in order to bring an end to the strike. In terms of the placement issue of workers, we ask them to be patient while the discussions are underway.
