According to the union’s Provincial Secretary, Thabang Tseuoa, municipal workers across the province are also faced with the non-payment of third party contributions for their medical aids, insurance and pension funds. He says several municipalities within the province also tend to outsource certain duties whilst there are employees within the municipalities capable of executing the same duties. Tseuoa says issues faced by municipal workers need to be addressed urgently.

“The reason why we are marching today is to raise our frustrations as a union about issues that are affecting municipal workers across the province relating to the dismissal of workers. We also want to raise issues of municipal failure to pay pension funds and medical aids. We also wish to raise (the issue of) privatisation, because we believe it covers rampant corruption within the municipality. Those are some of the issues that we want to raise today with this march.”

 Tseuoa says all municipal workers affiliated to the union throughout the province are expected to partake in the march. He says several engagements with the management of Metsimaholo Local Municipality in Sasolburg has not bear any fruit.

The municipal spokesperson, Gino Alberts, however, says they are not aware of any employees on strike, and that all employees are on their posts and continue to render municipal services.

Katleho Morapela/OFM News