Umdoni Municipality services have been disrupted for the past week due to workers downing tools.

Some of the biggest concerns include the licensing office being inoperative and refuse removal being halted, resulting in the town becoming a health hazard with the amount of garbage piling up.

The municipality’s administrative and political leadership condemns these actions and has sought intervention from the South Africa Local Government Association (Salga) and the Department of Corporative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) to put an immediate cease to this action and reinstate all municipal services.

Subsequent to the meeting held between the municipality led by Mayor Mbali Cele-Luthuli and the municipal manager Thabisile Ndlela, Salga, Cogta and the provincial leadership of the workers’ unions IMATU and SAMWU, a resolution was taken to promptly implement legal action against employees that have embarked on the illegal work stoppage.

“The municipality will unapologetically action the legal route as advised in line with the collective agreement and other legal prescripts. The action by employees is inconsiderate to ratepayers and the Umdoni community at large,” said the mayor.

“We condemn the modus operandi in which employees resorted to in an effort to make their grievances heard. As the municipality, we have an open door policy and we have remained transparent with employees with processes undertaken towards finding an amicable solution to the issues of employees. Their action is unjust and illegal.”

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