Vaalharts workers threaten shutdown

a diversion weir in the Vaal River, near Warrenton, travels nearly 1 200km along a network of canals, providing water to an area covering 39 820ha, including six towns in the Province.

Among the workers’ demands is the disbandment of the management committee of Vaalharts Water, which they believe does not reflect the demographics of South Africa.

Housing was another of the workers’ concerns, with staff accusing their employers of racial discrimination.

“One of the houses was used as a guest house,” stated the memorandum. “When African workers applied for that house, they were refused but a white employee is now living there.”

Workers are also calling for a thorough investigation into the finances of the scheme dating back to 2003, as well as an evaluation of the salaries and qualifications of the managers.

“We believe that there are people on the payroll, including the HOD, who don’t have the proper qualifications. There are also differences in salaries. Whites with only a matric certificate are being paid according to higher scales.”

A lack of community development has caused further unhappiness among staff with workers pointing out that there had been little to no training offered to workers.

“What about the immediate community,” they asked with reference to the development of a “white” school in the area, paid for with money given to the Vaalharts Water Union.

“We want the department’s intervention immediately. We expect a response within seven days or there will be a total shutdown until our grievances have been solved.”

While the provincial head at the Department of Water and Sanitation, Abe Abrahams, said that he was aware of the protest and memorandum, all enquiries were yesterday referred to Vaalharts Water CEO, Boy Dluwayo, who could not be reached for comment by the time of going to print.