Labour dispute continues for a second week

MOKOPANE – Municipal workers at the Mogalakwena Municipality said on Monday that they are willing to return to their workplaces but are afraid to do so as they claim their safety is at risk. This was said during a brief gathering at the Lekalakala Council Chambers parking area.
Service delivery at the municipality has been suspended since last week Wednesday due to the alleged dismissal of temporary municipal workers that were said to have been replaced by service providers. 
Northern News reporter Martie le Grange approached a few municipal officials on Monday, only to find that they refuse to speak about what seemed like a tense situation at the municipality.
Johan Fourie, manager of electrical services, only mentioned that he was acting on behalf of the acting municipal manager (MM), MM Mthombeni, who was not present. Fourie, however, approached municipal workers in the parking area and instructed them on behalf of Mthombeni to return back to their workplaces. “We need visible action from the acting MM to guarantee our safety. Fourie cannot be held accountable for our safety. How is he in a position to give such orders?” said Boitumelo Mathibi, secretary of the Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (IMATU).
While approaching a group of the South African municipal workers union (SAMWU) members who were gathering at another spot on the municipal premises, Northern News' reporter was intimidated by a union member while others encouraged him.
Jabu Mashamaite, chairperson of SAMWU, called the reporter aside to answered questions. He blamed inadequate benchmarking for the suspension of services and accused the municipality of misusing funds. Mashamaite claimed that he has seen figures that proved service providers replacing temporary workers are more expensive despite being told that the municipality cannot afford temporary workers. He denied allegations of intimidation and added the union members are not striking, but rather 'sitting in'.
Employees say it is a shame that neither the acting MM nor the Mayor is present to resolve their issues. “It is clear that service delivery is not their number one priority,” concluded Mashamaite.
The municipality’s head of communications, Malesela Selokela, has not been available for comment.