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This is the fourth week of the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) strike in which Matjhabeng Municipal employees are involved.
For four weeks no refuse has been picked up, people endure days without water and electricity, and raw sewage is running down the streets.
“The municipal workers are disrupting residents and businesses of Matjhabeng, and yet to date we have not seen one by-law enforcement officer or public safety arresting or taking action – while lawlessness goes rampant in Matjhabeng,” says Igor Scheurkogel, Matjhabeng councillor.
“We receive no feedback on what is happening with negotiations, but have to rely on social media or people forwarding information to us.
“When will the senior political leadership of Matjhabeng put their egos aside and fulfil their duty to ensure that services are delivered?
“Both parties are guilty of interference in the administration and illegal activities of Samwu, but threatening other officials and residents and bringing the municipality to its knees. The sad part, however, is that those involved with the conflict do not grasp the cries of the people on the ground which ward councillors across party lines have to face daily,” he says.
Scheurkogel says this situation calls for all parties to look beyond party lines and involve the leadership of the multiparty caucus to assist resolving this crisis.
“I am very concerned that the strike is also going to have a negative impact on revenue collection, which is going to add additional pressure on the already cash strapped municipality.
“We have the right as councillors of Matjhabeng to be included and informed on proceedings so we can respond to residents.”
