The strike of the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) got national media attention.
A cameraman from Newz Africa was photographing workers in front of the Standerton Town Hall on Thursday, 27 August.
The background for the news coverage was their demands, written on placards.
Mbonani Mayisela Street was covered in rubble earlier last week, remnants of tyres that were set alight and overturning of rubbish bins.
The entrance to the Lekwa Municipality remained shut.
A radio station spoke to Mr Sifiso Zacarias, regional chairman of Samwu, and Mr Delani Thabethi of the Lekwa Community Forum on Friday, 28 August.
The presenter, who hails from Standerton, described the situation as apocalyptic and asked Mr Zacarias the reasons for striking.
Mr Zacarias replied that the lack of protective personal equipment and a working environment not deemed safe during the Covid-19 pandemic, caused workers to go on strike.
He indicated that corruption at the municipality with regard to tenders are happening and said the Section 106-report has such information.
Mr Zacarias did not want to comment on why refuse was not removed, but denied that workers dumped rubbish.
Mr Thabethe said service delivery issues are not new to the town and township and named water supply, sewage spills, road conditions and robots that are not working.
He pointed out however, that the strike began about three weeks ago, but in some areas refuse has not been collected for three months.
According to him, the plight of the workers was understandable, but it became a serious concern when a dispute between workers and the Lekwa Municipality has these far-reaching consequences.
With regard to a question about the functioning of the municipality, Mr Thabethe said the billing system for instance, is not correct and political instability is a problem.
Mr Zacarias said in reply to the remark about refuse removal that refuse trucks are not roadworthy.
He added that corruption is rife.
WhatsApp-groups began warning motorists to drive safely in the area near the municipal building at about 3pm the same day as workers once again put pressure on Lekwa-management.
A popular television programme on a Sunday evening, highlighted the plight of the town as well.
The presenter spoke to role players such as Mr Zacarias, Mr Louis Jansen van Rensburg, DA-councillor, and Ms Wilma Venter.
Mr Zacarias outlined the plight of the workers, Mr Jansen van Rensburg shortly described the political climate and Ms Venter represented the Lekwa Ratepayers Association.
The municipal manager, Ms Gugulethu Mhlongo-Ntshangase, was not available for comment during the visit of the television crew.
The Standerton Advertiser sent WhatsApp-messages to the communications manager of the Lekwa Municipality, Ms Thobeka Mtshiselwa on 15, 22 and 31 August regarding the current situation.
Readers will be informed as soon as comment is received.
Also read:
https://www.citizen.co.za/ridge-times/239889/gallery-mbonani-mayisela-street-a-few-minutes-ago/
