Unhappy staff cut off water supply to Utrecht, could Dannhauser be next?
"Thank you, Lord.’ What happens next depends on the outcome from MPAC, but I hope the solution will be an amicable one for all parties.”
“Allegations that the two-week long water disruption in Emadlangeni was caused due to aging infrastructure, or that municipal workers responsible for water supply downed tools as a result of overtime not being paid are not true,” said Amajuba District Mayor, Dr Musa Ngubane.
“Yes we do have infrastructure challenges, but the recent crisis was ‘man-made’. It was instigated by the staff. It was so bad that I had to contact Cogta (Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs). They were aware of the issues regarding water previously, but not of the extent of it. When they heard of the extent of our challenges, they brought in water tankers to back us up. The rural areas depend on our existing water tankers for daily water supply, so we did not have sufficient resources to deal with the crisis.”
He continued, “I arranged to meet with the aggrieved staff on Saturday (May 11), and we had agreed that the meeting would be held in the municipal boardroom. However, when I got there, they said we should meet at the plant. I felt a bit intimidated, but we bravely proceeded to meet with them. The environment was very volatile. They were singing and toi-toi’ing’ outside. We addressed them outside in the shade and it was a tough meeting that lasted four hours but at the end of the meeting, they agreed to go back to work.”
Dr Ngubane communicated to the workers, the following resolutions that were taken at an urgent council held the previous day:
– Water is a basic necessity which cannot be compromised and these staff members seemed to have no care for the harm they were causing, so they needed to go back to work immediately.
– The issues they raised pertaining to salaries were referred to Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) for further investigation. MPAC will present their findings to council by no later than June 30.
No deductions will made on salaries with regards to the overpayment of staff until MPAC has presented its report, and depending on the outcome of the investigation, a decision will be taken as to how to proceed.
– If staff refuse to go back to work, council will be forced to institute legal action, and other labour laws will follow, e.g. no work no pay.
– If staff continue to jeopardise the wellbeing of the community, drastic action will be taken.
– Council will try to resolve certain issues regarding the work environment immediately. We have already budgeted for a new fleet of vehicles, after hearing how unsafe staff felt in vehicles that were constantly breaking down and we have ordered new protective gear for them as well.
Despite the fact that staff have returned to work, Dr Ngubane admits he still has concerns about what may happen after June 30.
“I can’t stop having concerns. Between now and June 30, I am confident staff will be at work, but after that, anything could happen. It worries me that the Dannhauser team also joined our meeting at the plant to show support to the Emadlangeni staff.
“We need to be prepared for the possibility that if they decide to down tools again, it won’t just affect Emadlangeni next time, it could affect Dannhauser as well,” said Dr Ngubane.
“I can’t manage one day with water, and here are people without water for nearly two weeks. When I heard the water supply had been restored, I was so excited I shouted, ‘Thank you, Lord.’ What happens next depends on the outcome from MPAC, but I hope the solution will be an amicable one for all parties.”
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