Fed up residents threaten to protest against RNM

Gamalakhe residents are threatening to lockdown the township with protest action should the ongoing Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM) strike continue to hinder service delivery.

In an open letter to RNM, Ward 28 resident Mpume Mbono said it was disheartening to see that basic services are not being provided to residents.

With refuse collection halted due to protest action, Gamalakhe is riddled with bin bags along the roads.

Refuse sites have become the playground of stray cattle and dogs that tear and scatter rubbish, creating a stink in the township.

The delivery of services throughout RNM is being hampered after municipal workers went on strike in October last year, demanding back pay and to be moved from grade 4 to grade 5.

Mbono said it was unfair that a dispute between an employer and employee is affecting the whole community.

He said residents should not suffer due to internal conflicts within the municipality.

“It is the municipality’s responsibility to ensure that essential services are delivered effectively and efficiently. It is unacceptable that we are bearing the brunt of their disputes. The municipality needs to solve this issue promptly and prioritise the needs of our community. Our voices must be heard. The well-being of our community should be the top priority, and we will not tolerate any further delays in service delivery,” said Mbono.

He added that should RNM fail to address the issue, they will have no choice but to take action.

“We will gather and cease all operations until this problem is resolved. Don’t underestimate our determination, we are serious, and we have been more than patient with you,” said Mbono.

Meanwhile, RNM spokesperson Simon April told Fever that he was unable to comment on anything regarding the current situation.

He suggested the publication contact the municipal manager, Khetha Zulu.

Attempts to get hold of Zulu were unsuccessful at the time of going to press.

However, a statement from Zulu, which is circulating on social media, states that, unfortunately, the wildcat strike has been ongoing since December 4, 2024, despite several engagements with the leadership of the workers’ unions.

He said an attempt to interdict the strike was unsuccessful.

He added that the matter was eventually heard on December 24, but the court was not convinced that there was an imminent threat of further strike action as no disruptions had occurred since December 13.

“The Judge placed significant emphasis on the urgency aspect of the application reasoning that the act of arson involving a truck, which occurred a week earlier, no longer presented an ongoing risk, as the conduct appeared to have ceased and that no strike action appeared to be ongoing from December 13. Consequently, the municipality’s concerns about preventing potential disruptions were left unaddressed, and the application was dismissed,” he said.

Zulu added they cannot stop workers from exercising their rights, but they can only apply consequence management internally and depend on the Saps for criminal acts committed.

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