The blaming game as to who is responsible for tripping electricity in town is in full spate after members from the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) began striking.
WhatsApp-groups vigorously point the finger at individuals and a small delegation from Samwu visited the offices of the Standerton Advertiser on Friday, 21 August.
Messrs Sibusiso Malinga and Michael Dhlamini, as well as Ms Mdali Mangele and Ms Sibongile Mpungase, emphatically said there is more to it than meets the eye.
“We are not only protesting because we need the increment, we are fighting for the community as well,” Mr Malinga added.
The workers supplied photos of their working conditions inter alia an expired licence disk on a refuse truck, a snake in a water meter in Rooikoppen and the explosion at a mini-substation in Mahala Park.
According to them, workers sometimes pay out of their own pocket for stationery and circuit breakers and not enough gloves are supplied for doing their duty.
Another allegation was that the organogram at the Lekwa Municipality is not followed and alleged favoritism takes place.
The group also distanced themselves from water interruptions and said the old asbestos pipes have to be replaced with PVC-pipes.
Mr Malinga pointed out the lack of maintenance at substations and the fact that no danger allowance is paid, does not sit well with them.
A resident noticed a malfunctioning pipe in Taljaard Street on Friday, 21 August and sent photos to the newspaper as well.
The question as to when they intend to begin working again, brought the following response:
“We will not go back until are demands are met.
“We have been silenced too long about corruption.
“Enough is enough.”
Their other demands in a nutshell refer to personal protective equipment not supplied, Lekwa’s relationships with external service providers, contractors and lawyers and clarification on the amount paid by national government to help municipalities.
An apology however, was offered to the community of Standerton.
“We are deeply sorry for interrupting services.”
The DA in Standerton also laid charges against the municipal manager, Ms Gugulethu Mhlongo-Ntshangase, last week and the gist of the charges are published elsewhere in the newspaper.
The Standerton Advertiser contacted the communication manager of the municipality, Ms Thobeka Mtshiselwa, via WhatsApp, on Saturday, 22 August for comment on the allegations of the workers.
Messages to Ms Mtshiselwa were also sent on 14 August and 15 August and to date no response has been received.
The newspaper has also tried in vain to schedule an appointment with the mayor, Mr Linda Dhlamini.
