Note to Editors: Please find the attached soundbite in English by Cllr Luan Snyders.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on Rustenburg Local Municipality Mayor Mpho Khonou and the Municipal Manager (MM) Victor Mokona to urgently resolve the ongoing strike action by municipal workers which has left some areas and businesses without electricity supply since last week.
Since 29 December 2020, workers in the electrical and mechanical units embarked on an illegal strike action regarding their overtime payments.
Areas such as Boitekong Extensions, Sunrise Park, Rietvlei, Oos Einde, Karlienpark, Waterkloof, Arnoldistad and other outlying areas have been without electricity as no one attends to electricity problems in the city.
At least 38 businesses have been without electricity since 9 December 2020, this has had a negative impact on the business operations.
Last night, frustrated residents finally took to the streets burning tyres in protest and calling on the municipality to restore electricity to their areas. It is concerning that the municipality has taken no action to resolve the issue.
Ratepaying residents cannot be held hostage and denied service delivery as a result of an illegal strike action by workers and the failure of the Mayor and MM to resolve this issue.