Rustenburg - Municipal workers in Ventersdorp were on strike, demanding the suspension of council directors, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) said on Monday.
Cosatu North West provincial secretary Solly Phetoe said workers embarked on an unprotected strike last week after they were allegedly provoked by councillors.
“The strike has been on since Tuesday (April 7) after the mayor and her council told workers that they are in political power and they have no business with unions, in particular the South African Municipal Workers Union,” Phetoe said.
“Workers demanded the suspension of directors who are employed with no qualifications and continue treating workers very badly.”
He said workers demanded an investigation into corruption allegations against councillors and “protected directors” of the municipality.
“The municipality is under attack due to poor leadership... Poor communities have no water, no electricity. There is poor service delivery rendered by the municipality due to corruption led by councillors,” Phetoe said.
The municipal workers went on strike prior to the re-burial of JB Marks, but the strike was soon resolved through a settlement.
Phetoe said the municipality was not implementing several resolutions reached prior to the re-burial.
He said workers were also demanding the municipality provide them with protective clothing.
“There is one worker who is blind, others were injured when they fell from municipal trucks. Workers demanded that those who are disabled due to the non-compliance must be compensated as per the law and the municipality must take responsibilities for all the medical expenses.”
Phetoe called on the North West provincial government to intervene.
“We call the MEC of Local Government and the Premier to do exactly what they did with Ngaka Modiri Molema and save the people of Ventersdorp.”
The municipality was not immediately available for comment.
ANA