The union denies that its members are on strike at all. This latest development comes after the union released a statement last week calling for the removal of the Masilonyana administrator, Steven Kau. The municipality was placed under provincial care in 2017 and remains under administration to date. Provincial Samwu Secretary, Thabang Tseuoa, says that municipal employees have not received their end of November salaries. He adds that third parties have also not been paid, which creates a frustrating situation, because employees are expected to act as if things are normal. Despite this, he stresses that their members are not on strike. He says workers are at work today. He further dismisses allegations that the members shut down the water supply to four towns in protests. The Samwu provincial secretary says Masilonyana has a long history of water challenges, so it is unfair to blame water cuts in some parts on the union’s members.

Meanwhile, the police spokesperson, Motantsi Makhele, tells OFM News that there is picketing in the area, but no incidents have been reported thus far. He, however, does not explain if it is municipal employees who are picketing. The union says the administrator, Kau may not be the root cause of some of the issues at the municipality, but he is not helping either, says Tseuoa. In the statement, the union says that the administrator has not submitted a financial recovery plan and this can be seen in the presence of challenges that existed long before Masilonyana was placed under provincial care. These challenges include the non-payment of third parties as well as delays in the payment of salaries, pension fund, and medical aid contributions. Tseuoa says the union is planning taking to the streets on Wednesday to express their frustrations. A resident from a township in Winburg has informed OFM News that they have been without water for weeks.

OFM News