They chanted “UNoluthando ulimemenemene, makapum’ ahambe”, which translates as “Noluthando is a backstabber, she must leave," in reference to the chairperson of the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu), Noluthando Santi.
They chanted “UNoluthando ulimemenemene, makapum’ ahambe”, which translates as “Noluthando is a backstabber, she must leave," in reference to the chairperson of the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu), Noluthando Santi.
They claimed Santi had accepted a key municipal post although she had earlier rallied the members of her union against it.
It was one of the slogans shouted by protesters who marched to City Hall on Wednesday 21 August, voicing their anger at municipal corruption and poor service-delivery. Samwu led the march, which was joined by members of other Cosatu affiliates, as well as the Rural People’s Movement (RPM) and the Unemployed People’s Movement (UPM).
During the past two weeks Samwu members had been meeting to contest five vacancies advertised without the union’s consent.
But this week Samwu shop steward Sandile Habana confirmed that Noluthando had officially resigned as the chairperson of Samwu and had accepted the disputed post of manager in the office of the Speaker.
During the march the protesters also stopped at the building of the municipality’s Finance Directorate on High Street. They demanded that their turncoat former chairperson come out of the building and face them. Santi didn’t show her face, however, and the security guards had locked themselves inside.
“That pig needs to come out,” said one demonstrator as she put her hands on the glass entrance doors of the building to see what was happening inside.
Next the marchers continued to City Hall, where Habana railed against corrupt municipal officials. “People fought for a freedom, which has now been taken by rats that spy on us on the behalf of management,” he said. “Our comrade showed us that she is greedy. She led us, and then she turned against us.” Makana Mayor Zamuxolo Peter promised to meet with the unions after 14 days to address their grievances.
The spokesman of Makana Municipality, Mncedisi Boma, said Santi would start her new job on 1 September.
“A manager of the Speaker’s office operates at the centre of all the programmes that are run by the office. Santi will essentially assist the Speaker in all her responsibilities, including the management of ward committees.“
