Johnathan Paoli
Tshwane Metro Mayor, Cilliers Brink and Tshwane City Manager, Johann Mettler, issued a short video statement to the residents of the metro, detailing the ongoing disruptions that have been rocking the city as well as the disciplinary steps they intend to take against the striking employees.
“We are putting in place mitigations and other disciplinary action from the city manager, but there will be disruption and it is important that the residents know what is at stake, that what we are fighting for is the future of this city, not just for services to residents but to secure the jobs of officials and to secure the future of this city,” the Mayor said.
“What is clearly happening here, is some workers, not the majority, think that by using violence and intimidation, the city can be brought to the negotiation table, to agree to salary increases, which we have explained we do not have the money, we cannot afford it,” Cilliers continued.
While the City of Tshwane, Gauteng’s second-largest metro in terms of its contribution to the economy, battles to pay its creditors, including Eskom and Rand Water, matters have escalated with thousands of workers who are up in arms over a freeze on salaries.
Workers affiliated with the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu), the country’s biggest local government union, representing more than 150,000 municipal employees, have taken to the streets in ongoing protests demanding a pay increase of 5.4%.
That figure was agreed upon by all municipalities in the province at the SA Local Government Bargaining Council (SALGBC) in 2021.
However, in March this year, the metro tabled its R46.9-billion budget for the 2022/23 financial year, without filtering any increases for workers.
Samwu’s secretary-general, Dumisane Magagula, described the move as “sabotage” of the collective bargaining agreement.
“They took a decision that they are not going to [increase] worker salaries despite the agreement that was negotiated at a central level with all the municipalities. It is not a case of the municipality not having money; they intentionally budgeted a zero percent increase while they are in a collective agreement,” Magagula said.
This follows on protest action throughout last week, with Gauteng Samwu secretary, Mpho Tladinyane, saying on Monday that at least 11 members were arrested on Wednesday.
Four workers, who were apprehended during a violent protest in Centurion, appeared at the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Monday and were released on bail.
Despite the metro winning a court order to interdict the ongoing strike, declaring it unlawful and expecting the resumption of duties, as well as offering ultimatums on Monday, the strike continues unabated.
“We are not going to go back to work. The City of Tshwane says they do not have money, they must make arrangements. When we owe the city money they tell us to make a 30% arrangement. So they must also make arrangements or else we’re not going back to work,” an anonymous protester told a popular media outlet.
Despite the threat of summary dismissals and other forms of disciplinary action, it is unclear the extent to which the strike will continue.
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