Union condemns City of uMhlathuze ‘misleading statements’

The City of uMhlathuze must not use striking workers as scapegoats for their failure to deliver basic services.

This is according to the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu), which has been leading strike action since Tuesday last week within the city.

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Samwu Shonamalanga Regional Secretary Zandile Gumede said the collapse in service delivery is not the fault of the striking workers, but rather a direct result of chronic corruption, maladministration, and poor leadership within the municipality.

“Peaceful protests by Samwu workers in the municipality have not interfered with service delivery, particularly the provision of water in eSikhaleni,” said Gumede.

“This is, therefore, a systematic attempt to divert attention from serious infrastructure failures that have affected not only Ward 13 but many other wards within the municipality.

“We firmly believe Mhlongo’s [municipal manager] attempts to divert attention from his failure to provide services require a thorough assessment by the community, full Council, and Cogta,” said Gumede.

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Gumede reiterated that the workers’ strike is both lawful and protected, with a strike certificate duly issued by the South African Local Government Bargaining Council (SALGBC) following all processes outlined in the Labour Relations Act (LRA).

“In an attempt to silence workers and suppress their rights, the municipality twice approached the Labour Court seeking to interdict the strike, failing on both occasions,” added Gumede.

“The municipality is well aware that the Labour Court is the only competent body to declare a strike unlawful, and Samwu calls upon all councillors to question the municipal manager and his team of directors about the true state of affairs in the municipality,” Gumede emphasised.

In a statement on Saturday, the City of uMhlathuze said the ‘unprotected strike’ continues to cripple service delivery.

“The City of uMhlathuze is deeply concerned about the ongoing unlawful and unprotected strike by certain members of Samwu, which continues to severely disrupt essential services, including water supply and waste collection in various areas across the municipality,” read the city’s statement.

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