Sol Plaatje workers claim victory in jobs fight

STRIKE action was called off after the Sol Plaatje Municipality agreed to absorb the first batch of 125 casual workers from December 1, following several days of tense protests.

Workers were infuriated after discovering that certain employees had been issued letters of permanent appointment and notch increases, while many of them had been employed as casual labourers for more than 15 years.

They convened at the Kimberley City Hall on Monday and marched to the Sol Plaatje municipal offices, with piles of rubbish strewn along the streets in their wake.

Workers were advised to use their tools of trade – including tyres and diesel – when management took its time to address them. They were prevented from entering the council building, which was heavily guarded by the police.

Members of the Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (Imatu) and the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) criticised the “heavy-handed” approach of the SAPS, who fired stun grenades and rubber bullets when workers attempted to set tyres alight.

They also demanded the removal of the Samwu leadership and all shop stewards, branding them “sell-outs”.

Unions threaten walkout

Union representatives threatened to walk out of a special Local Labour Forum (LLF) meeting on Tuesday when a presentation was delivered by the chief financial officer and an initial offer was made to absorb 44 workers over the age of 55 during the first phase.

Workers, meanwhile, waited outside the municipal building from 8am until around 6pm on November 11 in anticipation of the outcome of negotiations.

A walkout had been staged during an LLF meeting last week when the municipality attempted to explain its financial position.

Unions demanded that all 497 casual workers be permanently employed from June 1, in line with a council resolution. It was indicated that two workers had died while waiting for permanent employment.

They further stated that suspended municipal manager Thapelo Matlala had assured them that funds had been sourced from Treasury to support the absorption process.

‘Wildcat strike’

Samwu local chairperson Ronnie Morwe stated that it was agreed that 125 workers would be absorbed from December 1, with 117 to follow in March 2026 and the last batch in 2027.

“Workers with the longest years of service will be the first to be hired permanently. We argued that there should be funds for the absorption and that the municipality could seek assistance from National Treasury if necessary to implement the council resolution.”

He added that members refused to listen to the leadership and had embarked on a “wildcat strike” against the union’s advice.

“We warned members that they would not be protected and could place themselves in danger if they ran amok. By the time they decided to embark on the illegal march, there was nothing that we could do to stop them. The union intended to begin pickets this week, not embark on a full-blown strike.”

Morwe advised members that the leadership had been democratically elected.

“If they want anyone removed, they should lobby through the proper channels. We cannot allow anarchy to reign.”

Services resume

Sol Plaatje Municipality spokesperson Thabo Mothibi said refuse removal resumed on Wednesday, November 12, and that there would be no catch-up collections over the weekend.

“Residents who were affected by non-collection are requested to keep their refuse inside their properties for collection as per schedule next week,” he said.

Media enquiries relating to where the funds would be sourced for the absorption of workers and what the process would cost the municipality were not responded to.

‘Power to the people’ 

Samwu provincial secretary Pieter Demas condemned the response of the police and the arrest of a worker during the protest.

“Members were peacefully demonstrating and demanding justice. We strongly condemn the police brutality witnessed on Monday. We stand firmly with our member, who suffered at the hands of those sworn to protect. We demand that the South African Police Service takes full and immediate responsibility for its unwarranted assault on a harmless municipal worker.”

He added that their legal team had intervened to secure the worker’s release on a warning.

“Our battle was fought on the principle of dignity. Members sought answers on Monday morning, yet their legitimate protest was met not with dialogue but with brutal force, resulting in the deplorable arrest of one of our comrades.”

Demas said that, in a major breakthrough, engagements between Sol Plaatje executive mayor Martha Bartlett, management, Samwu, and Imatu on Tuesday afternoon had led to progress.

“We will closely monitor the agreement to absorb 497 workers with years of dedicated service. The Human Resources sub-committee has been requested to verify the list of affected employees to ensure every single contract worker receives the justice they are owed.

“This outcome is a testament to the courage and solidarity of the municipal workers of Sol Plaatje. We fought, and we won!” Demas said.

The SAPS did not respond to media enquiries.