The Matjhabeng municipal strikers on Monday, 29 January, handed over a memorandum of demands to the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) listing, among others, the immediate removal of the executive mayor, Thanduxolo Khalipha.
The memorandum was accepted by Moses Ketso Makume, Free State MEC for Human Settlements.
The workers are demanding that allegations of financial misconduct be probed, including that the municipality’s bank account continues to be attached through litigation for non-payment to various service providers, and the irregular payments to certain companies for work not done.
Another bone of contention they want investigated is the purchasing of a “new” fleet in 2023.
They also want the appointment of personnel outside of the approved municipal staff establishment investigated.
They say the executive mayor’s political overreach, bullying, harassment of officials, and interference in the work of the administration has resulted in an intolerable workplace and the collapse of sound labour relations in the municipality.
They says the mayor has demonstrated beyond doubt that he does not respect the legislative framework governing this sphere of government.
“Under the leadership of Khalipha, who professes to be holier than thou, the municipality continues to be a milking cow to advance corrupt activities as evident in the several deviations, along with fruitless and wasteful expenditure in the 2021-’22 financial year and to date,” said the strikers.
Other issues concerning the workers include the “war room” meetings and other meetings outside of working hours and days. They say Khalipha continues to undermine the collective agreements reached between the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) and the municipality, and on national level.
“Samwu strongly believes that the presence of Khalipha in this municipality is not in the interest of labour relations or service delivery. We demand the immediate removal of Khalipha from office.”
On Tuesday, 30 January, there were reports of burning tyres in Welkom, Ventersburg, and Hennenman, along with refuse and rubbish being tipped out all over Matjhabeng.
The municipal employees started a protected strike on Monday under what seemed to be peaceful conditions.
Vista understands that the municipal manager, Adv. Lonwabo Ngoqo, has approached a law firm in Port Elizabeth to have an immediate interdict issued against the strikers. This despite it being a protected strike. Apparently, all avenues to this effect closer to home have been exhausted.
Vista asked the municipal spokesperson, Tshediso Tlali, to comment on the interdict and also to provide an overview of the strike in its current state. No answer has been forthcoming from the mayor’s office.
On Monday, Vista reported that the mayor had sent Samwu a memorandum in which he states that he (the municipality) has decided to lock out Samwu members from the municipal premises in Matjhabeng, effective from Monday, 29 January, for the duration of the strike action.
The strike action is expected to continue until the workers’ demands have been met.
