Protest turns violent

WILDCAT STRIKE: ANC INTERFERES IN MUNICIPALITY’S RECRUITMENT Provincial secretary cancels posts after community members get the jobs.

Interference by the ANC in the recruitment of municipal workers has brought the Moqhaka local municipality in the Free State to a standstill with councillors allegedly demanding ANC volunteers be hired instead.

According to ANC Free State spokesperson Jabu Mbalula, his party had a right to interfere in municipal recruitment processes.

Municipality insiders said the fracas had started last year after council approved the recruitment of general workers from nearby communities.

The Citizen has seen a letter signed by a dozen ANC councillors to their provincial leaders, complaining they were being “undermined” and non-ANC supporters were hired.

Subsequently, the party’s provincial secretary Polediso Motsoeneng allegedly instructed mayor Motloheloa Mokatsane to withdraw the appointments, according to the sources.

On 20 December, Mokatsane wrote to municipal manager Portia Tshabalala requesting the cancellation of the posts, citing budget issues.

In her reply, dated 28 December, Tshabalala turned down Mokatsane’s request saying the recruitment and budget were stamped by council.

“The issue relating to the appointment of general workers was approved by council as a means to reduce overtime and the unemployment rate within the municipal jurisdiction.

“The envisaged moratorium at this late stage is in my view unjustified as it would result in a possible labour dispute and legal action against the municipality, with serious financial implications,” reads Tshabalala’s response.

A source who is privy to council matters alleged that ANC councillors are not concerned by the ongoing destructive protests.

“The ANC put pressure on the mayor, he faced being recalled, and had no choice.

“We now have a situation where councillors have abdicated their purpose as community representatives, they are encouraging the protests and are not prepared to urge residents to stop because they know there is no accountability,” said the insider.

When Mokatsane’s efforts failed, Motsoeneng allegedly called Tshabalala into a meeting, giving her an ultimatum to either do away with the appointments or resign. Again, Tshabalala stood her ground.

Mbalula said yesterday Motsoeneng did nothing illegal when he called municipal officials into meetings, threatening to get them fired.

He said the councillors were approached by community members with allegations of improper hiring of people.

Mbalula said 50 posts were advertised, and 150 people were allegedly hired.

“As a result, the councillors were asked to intervene on behalf of the community. They followed proper channels by asking for information from the relevant municipal officials, in this case, the municipal manager.

“This is the basis that informed the involvement of councillors in this matter.”

He added that Motsoeneng’s actions were to ensure stability at Moqhaka.

“As a provincial secretary of the ANC, he was well within his right to interact with the municipal manager as the head of administration in order to be briefed about the events that led to the unrest.

“In so far as we are concerned, his actions on meeting with municipal manager was not illegal as he was acting in the best interest of returning stability in community,” Mbalula said.

School classrooms in areas such as Steynsrus are empty as pupils stay home due to the wildcat protests turning violent.