Regional members of the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) already picketed outside the main Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) buildings last week, chanting struggle songs. The working class blames the government for failing to live up to its mission and promises of a ‘better life for all’.

The picketing lasted for hours and was said to be a build-up towards a mass protest organised by Congress of the South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and its alliance, to begin at the Vanderbijlpark License Department on Friday.

SAMWU cluster secretary Nkosinathi Ndwandwe said high on their agenda would be demands for the termination of the contract of MBD attorneys, a company that collects rates and taxes on behalf of ELM.Apparently there was no proper consultation between the MBD and the municipality.

Residents have since complained that they are not employed and want all debt scrapped so they can start a on clean slate which they call a ‘flat rate’. “ We also demand full compliance with the ANC manifesto by the ANC deployees: to stop outsourcing municipal services, stop corruption and nepotism, to stop temporary employment and give our people permanent jobs with no monthly contracts.”

Ndwandwe adds that service delivery had to be improved. If the workers’ demands are not met, Ndwandwe said this could lead to the union standing strong that the ELM be placed under administration as recently suggested by many.