The ‘puppets will dance’ while the ‘royal mess’ continues at Sol Plaatje Municipality

MUNICIPAL manager Thapelo Matlala returned to his desk on February 11 after Sol Plaatje Municipality, executive mayor Martha Bartlett and Speaker Dipuo Peters withdrew their application to appeal against the court decision that found his suspension to be null and void on February 10.

This comes as casual workers continued their fight for permanent absorption this week.

South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) members earlier this week barged into the hall where 58 municipal employees were due to receive certificates after completing their Water and Wastewater Treatment qualifications at a private municipal ceremony held at Sol Plaatje University, chanting and blowing whistles.

Peters and Bartlett had to leave their seats at the municipal event to address the workers outside the premises.

Angry workers shouted: “You are disappointing us, we are tired of lies,” saying they had not received any feedback regarding their appointment letters.

“They claim there is no money but they are drinking blue champagne inside. The puppets will dance if 498 of us do not get our letters by February 10. We will not accept a negative answer,” they warned.

‘Royal mess’

Bartlett admitted that the situation was a “royal mess”.

“We should not be here today. Let me apologise. We needed 48 hours’ notice in order to call a special council meeting. We did not want to hold the meeting on February 11, so we put in a 24-hour notice to have it held on February 10.”

She committed that all casual workers would be absorbed before her term of office expires.

“We are here to make a difference. Mayors and Speakers who have come before us found you in this situation. It is not about high salaries. Some people have passed away while their children and families are suffering, left without a cent. We cannot have a situation where workers have no benefits after 25 years’ service.”

Peters added that the item first had to be discussed at a council meeting, for which notice had already been sent out on February 9.

ANC councillor Isaac Ruiters, who was acting mayor during Bartlett’s absence, stated that an acting municipal manager had to be appointed on February 10 to sign off the appointment letters.

However, the special council meeting on February 10 was cancelled due to the absence of the MEC for Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs.

Samwu local chairperson Ronney Morwe said they had rejected a proposal to absorb 60 workers.

“We said no, 125 must be absorbed,” said Morwe.

He indicated that appointment letters would be signed on February 11.

“A council resolution was taken in April last year that 498 workers should be absorbed.”

By February 11, no letters had been signed and workers were promised the process would take place the following day.

Municipal manager returns 

Matlala indicated that 125 letters would be signed on February 12.

“I am back in office to restore stability and normality. The absorption of workers is a top priority. I will meet with management and the unions to resolve the matter speedily.”

He added that he had noticed a deterioration in the city’s water quality as well as increased water interruptions during his absence.

“Service delivery must resume so that ratepayers are not inconvenienced,” he said.

Matlala indicated that all legal battles had been settled.

“There are no bad feelings. We need to be mature and we cannot allow the public to suffer.”

He stated that the disciplinary hearing into allegations of misconduct against him was continuing.

“My legal team is here and we are preparing for the proceedings. I am not concerned about the charges. My family understands that the position of a municipal manager is very tough. Few municipal managers at Sol Plaatje Municipality have completed their terms. I cannot sit at home and receive a salary, as it amounts to wasteful expenditure. I am mindful that the municipality can ill afford to pay two municipal manager salaries.”

Sol Plaatje Municipality spokesperson Thabo Mothibi dispelled rumours that the executive mayor had tendered her resignation, calling it “gutter journalism”.

* This is a developing story.