UPDATE: Cogta MEC intervenes to resolve impasse between RNM and its employees
Rev Thulasizwe Buthelezi provided all stakeholders with an opportunity to express their concerns and propose solutions. He will return on January 31 to review progress and take further action.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Rev Thulasizwe Buthelezi, convened a critical meeting with ratepayers, business representatives, amakhosi, trade unions, and the leadership of Ray Nkonyeni Municipality to resolve a three-month-long workers’ strike that has crippled service delivery.
The meeting, held yesterday (Friday) in the municipality’s council chamber in Port Shepstone, was attended by Deputy mayor Clr Sibusiso Shange, various representatives from business forums, tourism businesses, amakhosi, and ratepayers.
The prolonged strike has devastated service delivery in this key tourism hub, causing significant financial losses to businesses and forcing residents to seek alternative solutions for essential services such as waste collection, water, and electricity.
The dispute between the municipality and its employees stems from an arbitration award related to back pay and the regrading of workers following the 2016 merger of Izinqoleni and Hibiscus Coast Local Municipalities to form Ray Nkonyeni Municipality.
The municipality appealed the arbitration decision, and the matter remains unresolved in the Labour Court. In October, workers commenced industrial action, demanding the municipality honour the award.
During the meeting, Buthelezi provided all stakeholders with an opportunity to express their concerns and propose solutions.
Business and tourism representatives emphasised the heavy losses incurred due to the lack of service delivery, while amakhosi called for an urgent resolution, highlighting the negative impact on businesses and residents’ well-being.
Buthelezi expressed disappointment at the absence of Mayor Clr Zodwa Mzwindle, who was expected to present the municipality’s perspective and responses.
“The municipality could have handled this matter with greater diligence to avoid a complete shutdown. As a department, we view it as our responsibility to mediate and give all parties a final opportunity to engage constructively and resolve the issue.
Some aspects of this situation could have been better managed, but before we take decisive action, we are allowing a two-week period for resolution,” said MEC Buthelezi.
“Our primary aim is to safeguard jobs and ensure that businesses do not continue to suffer irreparable harm. When businesses close, people lose jobs – something we must prevent at all costs. All stakeholders, including amakhosi, have expressed their desire for an end to the strike. We expect an amicable solution to be reached by January 31. Should this not occur, the department will have no choice but to implement further interventions,” he added.
Buthelezi will return to Ray Nkonyeni Municipality on January 31 to review progress and take further action.
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