MOKOPANE: No local emergency services on R101 this Easter
Due to the Mogalakwena municipal protest the Traffic Department and the Mogalakwena Fire Brigade are not rendering any services during the upcoming Easter Weekend.
MOKOPANE – The Mogalakwena Municipality have been at a complete standstill with no services rendered for more than a week.
The Easter weekend is known for the 1 000’s of vehicles passing through or by Mokopane on their way to the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) Easter service in Moria and usually the Fire Brigade, Traffic Department and Emergency Services camp next to the R101 to monitor the roads day and night, but on Tuesday it did not look like it was going to happen this year.
This follows after chaos erupted in town last week as municipal employees decided to down their tools. The worker force is demanding that the benchmarking of salaries according to municipalities of the same grading system be implemented.
A delegation of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), wanted to engage with the municipal workers last week, but they made it clear that they will only engage with them once the interdicts and charges against their fellow comrades have been withdrawn.
Percy Nketse, representative of the municipal worker force said on Tuesday: “We will only go back to work once benchmarking is implemented and our demands are adhered to.”
Mayor Parks Sebatjane told Bosveld: “It is unfortunate that we have not been able to resolve the situation as workers are reluctant to meet with COGTA.
“We cannot withdraw the interdict as we have to maintain order and protect the premises. With regards to people who have been arrested, our hands are tied.
“We have appealed to the provincial and national treasury and local government to come and assess the municipality’s financial situation to see if we will be able to sustain with effective service delivery if benchmarking is implemented.” Sebatjane further said: “We have hired outside contractors to provide basic service delivery as we are trying to manage the situation.
“With regards to the Easter weekend, we have spoken to the provincial department to send people to assist us on the roads if the matter is not resolved.”
Sebatjane concluded: “I once again appeal to the municipal employees to return to work.”
Read more:
4 arrested for public violence, malicious damage
[VIDEO INTERVIEW] Mayor Parks Sebatjane gives feedback on the current situation
[VIDEO] protesters attempt to set alight councillors house
Municipal employees make decision to down tools
