The last two months’ strike by the Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) in the Matjabeng Local Municipality (Allanridge, Hennenman, Odendaalsrus, Ventersburg, Virginia, Welkom) demonstrates the need to curb the power of trade unions.
It has to happen to ensure that residents are not held hostage by their actions.
The announcement by the Municipality’s Mayor, David Kalipha, during yesterday’s council meeting that the Municipality will from now on take decisive action against striking workers is too little too late.
The strike should have been met with firm action right from the start.
But now action is suddenly taken after striking workers’ unlawful actions have jeopardised residents’ safety.
On Monday, striking workers started several fires in front of the municipal offices and pelted properties with stones.
Striking workers also threatened residents who tried to remove stones from roads.
Die week se geweld volg op ‘n This week’s violence was sparked by a council decision by the ANC last Wednesday that if striking workers return to work immediately, they will receive an advance on their February salaries. It will, however, need to be repaid over a period of three months.
The FF Plus voted against the decision. In the party’s view, the Municipality is under no obligation to negotiate with SAMWU.
It seems that it is more important for the ruling ANC to protect the rights of striking municipal workers than those of local residents.
The ANC is responsible for the culture of violent strikes by allowing them to go unpunished.
The FF Plus also asked the Free State MEC for Community Safety, Roads and Transport, Maqueen Mathae, to urgently arrange for the Public Order Police to be deployed in Welkom to subdue the violent strikers.
Like the rest of the Free State, Matjabeng has been torn down and utterly destroyed under ANC rule. That is why it is imperative to oust the ANC from provincial and national government on 29 May 2024.
With the ANC out of the way, we can restore and rebuild.
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