Tensions are brewing between the local branch of the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) and municipal officials. Several issues are on the table, but the main focus is on grievances about Makana's current human resources manager.
Tensions are brewing between the local branch of the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) and municipal officials. Several issues are on the table, but the main focus is on grievances about Makana's current human resources manager.
Neither Samwu nor the municipality has been willing to speak to the media about the cause of these tensions, but Grocott's Mail has learnt from a reliable source that the union is angry with both the senior management of the municipality and the political leadership in Council for failing to respond promptly to workers' concerns.
Grocott's Mail has observed a number of union meetings being convened at the city hall during working hours. The outcome of some of these meetings has included memorandums to the acting municipal manager, strategic manager and the director of corporate services, Thembinkosi Myalato.
According to the minutes of the meeting, of which Grocott's Mail has a copy, Samwu leadership expressed regret that the workers' sit-ins took place when the community was in crisis, during the recent floods and that the meetings had disrupted service-delivery.
Grievances include allegations that the human resources manager submitted false information in the form she submitted when applying for her job. At the time of going to press, municipal spokesperson Mncedisi Boma had still not responded to questions sent to him on Friday morning.
