Fresh strike grips Mtuba

A FRESH round of municipal strikes brought Mtubatuba to a standstill on Friday morning when municipal workers took to the streets in angry protest over current working conditions.

The removal of provincially appointed Administrator Bamba Ndwandwe has been at the heart of the strikes, the first of which started as a sit-in on 27 May.

As the strike continued, refuse piled high and loose litter blew around the streets. Municipal workers resumed duties on 5 June while their grievances were discussed behind closed doors.

The municipality held a series of meetings with representatives of both the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) and Independent Municipal Allied Trade Union (IMATU). Prior to the talks of Friday, 6 June, both unions warned of a strike to halt all municipal services should the talks fail.

Mtubatuba Municipal Manager Siyabonga Ntuli on Friday morning issued a ‘notice of a strike’ to Mtubatuba and St Lucia residents, business owners, formal and informal traders, as well as tourists. SAPS Communications Officer, Lieutenant Mpontshane, said that the striking workers were ‘very angry’, but police officers were able to limit the violence and calm down the protestors.

As the march through Mtubatuba was not authorised, police officers put an end to it. By lunch time, Mpontshane confirmed that all striking workers had returned to the municipality’s chambers, but were not working.

SAMWU Shop Steward PC Nxumalo confirmed that the workers are protesting against a number of work-related issues, including a lack of maintenance to municipal vehicles, equipment and the vehicle testing station.

Their main grievance, however, lies with the Administrator and workers are demanding his removal.