Note to Editors: Please find the attached soundbite in English and Afrikaans by Cllr Maritha Coetzee.
Yesterday, Matlosana Local Municipality workers embarked on a strike action demanding to be compensated for danger pay for working through the Covid-19 lockdown period.
Workers closed the main entrance to the municipal building, burnt tyres and closed off the streets in protest. Several properties were vandalised in the process. See photos here, here and here.
Workers claim that the Municipal Manager, Theetsi Nkhumise, promised them danger pay for working during the lockdown period. The payment was supposed to come from a R71 million grant from Provincial Treasury.
Some workers continued their strike protest today, they have vowed to continue protesting until their demands are addressed.
While workers have a right to protest to improve working conditions and salaries, this must always be done peacefully and within the confines of the law. The DA condemns all incidents of vandalism caused by some municipal workers to municipal properties.
As a result of the strike action, services have been halted, there has been no refuse removal, burst pipes have not been fixed meaning residents are without water in this heatwave.
It is unacceptable that residents who pay their rates and services must now suffer the consequences and be without basic necessities such as water.
The DA calls on the MM to quickly resolve this pay dispute to ensure that workers return to work and service delivery is not disrupted further.
Community members cannot suffer due to disputes between management and workers.