DFA reports that the South African Municipal Workers Union shop stewards have raised serious concerns about poor working conditions at Sol Plaatje Municipality. They also claimed they were being intimidated and “treated like children”. According to an affidavit, housing unit workers were left “shocked and afraid” when the acting housing manager allegedly cocked his gun and dismantled a firearm in their presence during a tenant verification process at the Dingaan hostels in August.
The shop stewards further highlighted a shortage of staff in most areas including cemeteries, infrastructure, refuse, security, sanitation and the call centre. They also complained about a lack of basic tools, equipment, and personal protective equipment (PPE), which compromised their ability to perform their duties. “The issue of personal protective equipment (PPE) and overalls is still outstanding and the health and safety of workers is being compromised,” they said.
“Our Covid-19 allowances have still not been paid and workers are expected to work in dangerous conditions without the proper training.” They called for critical vacant posts such as the director for corporate services, manager of the wastewater treatment plants and director of infrastructure to be filled with qualified candidates as a matter of urgency. They warned that these vacancies were hampering service delivery, citing that all four wastewater treatment plants – Homevale, Ritchie, Beaconsfield, and Gogga pump station – were non-functional.
Cemetery workers are also threatening to embark on a go-slow due to a lack of PPE and poor working conditions. Parks and recreation employees claimed that they were being exploited. “Workers are resorting to alcohol abuse, resigning or absconding from work as they cannot cope,” they said. The shop stewards added that many workers were employed on contract for over 20 years, without any benefits. They further called for steps to be taken against vendors and foreign-owned businesses that were operating without permits and were littering on the streets.
They indicated that the refuse trucks were broken, while vandalism of infrastructure was also hampering their ability to perform their duties. SAMWU local full-time shop steward Vuyisile Mangema stated that the newly elected shop stewards would perform their duties effectively and would not accept any kickbacks. SAMWU local chairperson Ronnie Morwe spoke out in defence of the Sol Plaatje municipal manager. “There are all sorts of frivolous and unfounded allegations against him – that he accepts bribes and that he must be suspended. We are saying hands off the municipal manager,” Morwe stated. Sol Plaatje Municipality did not respond to media enquiries.
by Sandi Kwon Hoo