DA takes swipe at protesting workers

The DA in Thabazimbi has condemned members of South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) following the disruption of a special council meeting on Thursday 30 January.

DA Caucus Leader in the Thabazimbi Local Municipality, Councillor Thane Hearne, said a group of what she described as members of the labour union Samwu, embarked on an illegal strike and failed to report for duty for a number of days.

Hearne said it was for the second time that the council was forced to adjourn a meeting due to unruly and disruptive behaviour, allegedly by the union’s members.

She said the same occurred in January 2019.

“These members opted to occupy and block the main entrance to the Council Chamber building, demanding to be addressed by the municipal manager regarding issues they face,” Hearne explained.

Hearne said about 50 people were involved in the protest action.

“As much as we want the issues raised by Samwu to be addressed, we recommend that appropriate procedures should be followed, in terms of the Local Labour Forum,” Hearne said.

Samwu had not, at the time of going to print, responded to a request for comment.

—The BEAT