Protests Intensify as Contract Workers Demand Better Treatment
In Kimberley, South Africa, members of the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) have pledged to escalate their protest actions if they do not receive satisfactory responses from Sol Plaatje Municipality regarding the absorption of contract workers. The protests have already led to disruptions in essential services and increased tensions between workers and local authorities.
Refuse collection did not occur on November 5 due to a go-slow action by the workers, which is a common form of protest where employees work at a reduced pace to draw attention to their demands. Additionally, a scuffle broke out at the council yard in Ashburnham when police officers attempted to prevent municipal workers from setting tyres alight. One worker was captured on video shouting, “Los die tyres, vat die gun (leave the tyres, take the gun),” highlighting the growing frustration among the workers.
Loud applause followed when the workers managed to wrestle the tyres away from police officers and set them on fire. This act of defiance has become a symbol of their struggle for better working conditions and permanent employment. Some workers have been employed on contract for as long as 17 years, yet they still face significant challenges, including lack of medical aid, unemployment insurance, or death benefits for their dependents.
Demands for Permanent Employment
Aggrieved workers have vowed to camp outside the council yard until they are appointed permanently. They argue that the workload has increased significantly, but vacancies are not being filled, forcing them to do double the work for the same pay. This situation has further fueled their anger, especially since some workers believe that a senior Samwu official may have received a promotion, although this could not be confirmed.
Protest actions are expected to escalate if the workers do not get the answers they seek. Samwu’s full-time shop steward, Vuyisile Mengena, stated that 498 workers were supposed to be absorbed on June 1, in line with a council resolution. He warned that if no satisfactory answers are received, the protests will intensify, affecting various services such as refuse collection, cleansing, water, sanitation, and electricity.
Mengena also mentioned that according to the suspended municipal manager, there were available funds for the absorption of the workers. However, the delay in implementation remains a mystery. He noted that some workers were supposed to have been absorbed in the first quarter of the year, but no action has been taken despite the approaching end of the year.
Discussions at the Local Labour Forum
Samwu and the Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (Imatu) were invited to a Local Labour Forum (LLF) meeting on November 6, where the financial implications of the absorption of workers would be discussed. Sol Plaatje Municipality spokesperson Thabo Mothibi said that the acting municipal manager, Busisiwe Mgaguli, and mayoral committee members Nomizizi Shwababa and Isaac Ruiter addressed the workers during the meeting.
“The meeting ended amicably. The matter will be discussed at the LLF,” he said, indicating that further discussions are planned to address the concerns raised by the workers.
Public Disorder and Police Response
SAPS Northern Cape spokesperson Sergeant Merapelo Pilane reported that members of the Kimberley Public Order Police (POP) unit responded to a public disorder incident at the Sol Plaatje Municipality yard. It was alleged that municipal casual workers converged at the municipality gates, demanding to meet the municipal manager, and in the process, a fire was started. The police managed to control the situation without any serious injuries reported.
Suspension of the Municipal Manager
A special council meeting, closed to the public, was held this week to discuss a confidential report relating to the investigation into alleged misconduct by the suspended municipal manager, Thapelo Matlala. Matlala was placed on precautionary suspension following a marathon six-and-a-half-hour special council meeting held on September 16. Allegations against Matlala involving the awarding of municipal tenders and appointments are under scrutiny.
Calls for Dissolution of the Council
Meanwhile, several organizations, including Justice4All, Women Waging War on GBVF, and Abahambe, have forwarded a petition calling for the dissolution of Sol Plaatje Municipality and the holding of by-elections in all 33 wards. This is due to alleged inaction in addressing service delivery failures and human rights violations highlighted by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), as well as dissatisfaction with the performance of ward councillors.
They are demanding the establishment of community oversight mechanisms to restore accountability and prevent a recurrence of corruption, abuse, and neglect. A call was also made for lifestyle audits, a forensic investigation, and the vetting of councillors.