eMBALENHLE – Service providers are now attending to power outages, because Govan Mbeki municipal employees are undergoing the Employees Assistance Programme (EAP).
EAP is a confidential, short term, counselling service for employees with personal difficulties that affect their work performance.
Mr Felani Mndebele, municipal manager, said about 30 employees will go through this programme with the help of Sasol.
This came after Mr Simon Ngcobo, an employee of Govan Mbeki Municipality, was electrocuted while he was installing a transformer in Extension 22, eMbalenhle, on Tuesday, 23 June.
Also read: WATCH: Death of GMM worker reveals the workers’ struggles
Upset workers ambushed Mr Mndebele on Wednesday, 24 June and demanded an urgent meeting.
He was apparently not happy with this and a verbal exchange almost became physical. Both parties eventually found mutual ground.
The workers clarified that they ambushed Mr Mndebele, because he neither showed concern nor did he address the employees the same day of Mr Ngcobo death.
The workers told Mndebele that they are concerned for their safety, as pressure from the community is daily mounting up.
They claimed to be faced with intimidation from angry residents who are demanding service delivery.
Workers said they are also disturbed by political interference.
They alleged that sometimes politicians mobilise residents to intimidate them.
They also complained about equipment, protective clothing (PPE) and a shortage of staff.
Mr Mndebele promised to attend to their grievances.
Also read: Municipal official dies while installing transformer in eMbalenhle
“I will be meeting with the South African National Defence Force to request them to ensure that you are safe whenever you are doing your job.
“Do not work without proper PPE and do not take instructions from politicians.”
The workers told him that they will not return to work until their demands are met.
Mr Mndebele told the Ridge Times on Monday, 29 June, that the Gert Sibande District Municipality is now handling the electricity matter in the area after Eskom disengaged with the Govan Municipality.
He said Eskom disengaged with the municipality as it was struggling to pay the current debt. He said at this stage the Gert Sibande Municipality is handle the matter well and hope to get a long lasting solution.
“The talks are that as soon as Bigen Afrika completes the project, Eskom is asked to provide a mobile transformer temporally until all the processes are done.
“We hope Eskom will agree because that can ease the situation in eMbalenhle,” Mr Mdebele said.
Also read: Govan Mbeki Municipality calls on residents to report illegal connections
