The South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) brought traffic to a standstill yesterday in different parts of Randfontein
This after an ongoing dispute with the local municipality came to a head and workers decided that they’d had enough, taking to the streets in protest.
According to union spokesperson in Randfontein Rogers Mkotolana, they used the opportunity to (again) submit a memorandum of demands and air their objections to what they call arrogance displayed by Randfontein mayor, Sylvia Thebenare.
Their demands include better working conditions, better incentives, and a leave encashment policy to be implemented with immediate effect.
Workers have also called for the municipal manager Mpho Mogale to step down from his position.
“We are here today because the municipality does not take our concerns seriously.
“We previously submitted a similar memorandum of demands which the mayor responded to with arrogance.
“We will not back down until our demands are met,” says Mkotolana.
He adds that they have exhausted all avenues prior to taking to the streets.
The Herald has approached the Randfontein Local Municipality head of communications Phillip Montshiwa who says that the mayoral committee will discuss the issues raised and revert back with comment in due time.
“The mayor has received the memorandum and its contents will be discussed.
“On the issue of the demand for the municipal manager to resign, the council has decided that Mogale should hand over his duties to someone else by the end of June,” says Montshiwa.
