Sol Plaatje’s Executive Mayor Martha Bartlett has announced urgent legal measures to end a three-week unprotected strike that has left Kimberley residents facing mounting piles of refuse and crumbling infrastructure.
In a media statement issued late Wednesday evening, Bartlett revealed she has instructed Municipal Manager Thapelo Matlala to approach the court for an interdict against the ongoing industrial action by members of the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu). The mayor also called for the immediate implementation of disciplinary processes against participating workers.
The strike, which intensified on 18 May, has resulted in a total halt of refuse collection in many areas. Beyond the rubbish piling up, the mayor cited “utter dismay” at the sight of unattended road repairs and overflowing sewers, describing the situation as a ‘display of disrespect and an insult against ratepayers’.
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Whilst Samwu reportedly issued a letter on 21 May calling for its members to return to work, stating the strike had ‘reached its reasonable end’, many workers have ignored the directive and remain off the job.
The labour dispute began following the termination of six-month contracts for workers within the roads and stormwater division. The situation escalated after the municipality was placed under administration on 6 May under Section 139 (1)(b) of the Constitution.
Union opposition and political tensions
Samwu earlier said it is dead set against the decision of Bentley Vass, MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta), to place the municipality under administration, citing the union was not consulted about the decision.
Union members and workers who attended Wednesday’s special council meeting had placards with them saying they want the mayor and Speaker Dipuo Peters dismissed. They want to “protect” the municipal manager. Bartlett, Peters and the provincial government are accused of wanting to get rid of Matlala.
According to Bartlett, Vass made assurances that the administration process would not negatively impact the workforce, ‘but the union has remained fixated’ on the matter.
The mayor claims the internal division within the union is causing significant suffering for residents as service delivery backlogs continue to grow.
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Adding to the tension, the mayor’s office has received ‘disturbing reports’ suggesting intentions to sabotage municipal infrastructure to render the city “ungovernable”. There are further concerns that some individuals are attempting to incite riots by linking the municipality’s legal challenges with the sensitive issue of illegal immigrants.
Bartlett issued a plea to the community to assist in protecting local infrastructure and to report any suspicious movements or acts of vandalism to the South African Police Service (SAPS) at 10111.
‘Workers must act responsibly and return to their posts’, Bartlett says.
