Unions occupy Sol Plaatje council chambers, threaten service standstill

THE SOUTH African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) and the Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Workers Union (Imatu) occupied the Sol Plaatje council chambers this week, vowing that service delivery would come to a standstill unless casual workers were permanently absorbed.

A sit-in was held at the municipality on Thursday, while full-blown strike action is expected to unfold next week.

The Integrated Development Plan (IDP) meeting held at the Kimberley City Hall on Wednesday was disrupted, with chairs being grabbed from members of the public.

Speaker Dipuo Peters redirected union representatives to a meeting inside the council chambers after the IDP meeting ended prematurely.

Samwu local chairperson Ronney Morwe said that after the municipality had promised to absorb 498 workers in phases starting from December 1, 2025, they were later informed that there were no funds available.

“Council is only prepared to appoint 44 workers. That is a slap in the face of the union, which is being undermined,” he said.

Morwe indicated that workers would embark on “robust” protest action until the municipality delivered on its commitments.

“It is not correct that workers must remain on contract for 25 years. They automatically become permanent workers after three months,” he said.

He added that it was initially agreed that the first 125 workers would be absorbed in phases starting from December 1, 2025, as the municipality had cited a shortage of funds to absorb all 498 workers.

“Letters of permanent appointment as well as medical aid forms were signed and families were happy. Workers would be given positions and were preparing to buy houses and cars. There is a flow of money for girlfriends and sisters, but never any money for blue-collar workers. Officials are driving luxury vehicles imported from Germany without number plates. The R2.6 million price tag can fund the salaries of 15 contract workers.”

Morwe added that the suspended municipal manager, Thapelo Matlala, wanted to absorb all 498 workers.

“The chief financial officer now says there is no money. The letters of absorption are lying on the municipal manager’s desk,” he said.

Morwe said Sol Plaatje executive mayor Martha Bartlett should “take the fall”, as she was the supervisor of the municipal manager.

He alleged that the R2.5 billion Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI) grant to upgrade water infrastructure in the city was being “crippled”.

“How do you eat R900 million in six months?” he asked.

Morwe said officials should sacrifice their car subsidies and cellphone allowances to assist struggling workers.

“It is shocking that council is spending R3.5 million on car allowances and R1.8 million on cellphone allowances. These officials are sitting in air-conditioned offices and can make use of the office phone free of charge. Why else do they need airtime and data, unless it’s to ask, ‘babe, where are you?’”

Morwe also condemned the alleged promotion of officials where back payments of between R38,000 and R48,000 were reportedly processed.

“How do you give yourself a promotion while everyone else is on leave during December?” he asked.

He denied that he was offered a promotion when protests erupted last year.

“False rumours were spread – I will not accept any promotion until all casual workers are absorbed,” he said.

Imatu will hold a general meeting on Friday to update members and obtain a mandate before deciding on its next course of action.

Municipality responds

Sol Plaatje Municipality spokesperson Thabo Mothibi said negotiations were at an advanced stage, while the municipality was scrutinising its fiscal position.

“The consideration was for 44 workers to be absorbed with full benefits, as the latter aspect is critical in upholding decent employment.”

He admitted that service delivery had been affected to some extent, especially refuse removal.

“Catch-up plans were in place. It is unfortunate that the IDP meeting was disrupted on Wednesday. Calm has been restored, as a return to the negotiating table is of the utmost importance. The outcome of negotiations will be communicated in due course.”

Mothibi said redirecting funds from car allowances to other areas, such as the absorption of workers, was a “sensitive matter”.

“However, no aspect of the municipality’s spend is beyond review. A serious review is needed for the absorption process, given that the municipality’s liquidity cannot be compromised, especially when faced with dire fiscal constraints.”

He was unable to confirm the amount approved for car allowances.

“We are aware of rumours regarding the promotion of officials during December. Justifiable reasons will be submitted soon if this is indeed true.”