Samwu ‘not capable’ of Bloem blaze

Gupta family.

Without committing to a timeline, Zuma reiterated that a judicial commission of inquiry will be appointed to probe the allegations. “We are moving as fast as possible to establish the commission.”

Zuma is challenging a recommendation by former public protector Thuli Madonsela that the chief justice appoint the commission chairperson, arguing that according to the constitution he was the only one who could appoint a commission of inquiry. – ANA THE SA Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) has denied that its members set alight the city hall in Bloemfontein, said general secretary Simon Mathe.

He said Samwu could not be blamed for the fire on Wednesday night because they used the hall as a gathering place.

“We therefore distance ourselves from the fire, we can safely conclude that none of our members were responsible,” Mathe said.

“In fact, we are convinced that none of our members are even capable of this, coupled with the fact that our offices are adjacent to the building and as such they would not burn their own offices.

“This, by the way, is a fire which began long after our members had dispersed from the vicinity of the building.”

“The Mangaung Metro should take blame for the situation that is currently unfolding within the city, they have decided to turn the municipality into a police state,” he added.

“We are also of the view that police should account for the fire as they were the ones securing the building prior to them indiscriminately shooting at workers for no apparent reason.

“In the meantime, we shall await the outcome of investigations into the cause of the fire.” – ANA