Reports of burning tyres in Welkom, Ventersburg, and Hennenman, along with refuse and rubbish being tipped out all over Matjhabeng are streaming in.
The municipal employees started a protected strike on Monday, 19 January, under what seemed to be peaceful conditions. They are demanding the immediate resignation of the executive mayor, Thanduxolo Khalipha.
Vista understands that the municipal manager, Adv. Lonwabo Ngoqo, has approached a law firm in Port Elizabeth (some 850 km away) 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 the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) a memorandum in which he states that he (the municipality) has decided to lock-out the Samwu members from the municipal premises in Matjhabeng, effective from Monday, 29 January, for the duration of the strike action.
