Samwu demands that all suspended workers be reinstated
THE SOUTH African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) said that all suspended workers would report for duty on Monday after the acting executive director of infrastructure and services, Phetolo Sithole, was reinstated by council this week.
Sithole was placed on suspension on April 24 on charges of misconduct relating to the appointment of the tourism manager, Neo Poolo, who was also suspended.
The officials who were suspended included electrical technician Mzwandile Zwane, who resigned after he was placed on suspension in November 2022 for failing to alert the bid evaluation and bid adjudication committee about a tender that exceeded the specified amount.
The contract of George Mosimane was not renewed after his contract ended on April 17.
He was suspended after the municipal manager refused to sign a procurement deviation certificate that was assigned to consultant engineers that did not qualify.
The municipal manager, Thapelo Matlala, said Mosimane was not subjected to disciplinary procedures as his contract had come to an end, as well as to save costs associated with the proceedings.
He added that he was obtaining legal advice regarding Zwane’s contract.
Samwu local secretary Nomathamsanqa Banda added that an electrician and pipe fitter employed at waterworks were fighting their suspensions in the Labour Court.
“Zwane, Mosimane and Pooloo are also our members. These employees should also be reinstated. If one suspended official is reinstated, all other suspended workers must be reinstated and charges must be withdrawn immediately. The municipal manager, Thapelo Matlala, must be allowed to do his work as he is fighting corruption at Sol Plaatje Municipality,” said Banda.
She added that all workers would down tools from Monday, where no service delivery would take place, until the union received answers from the municipality.
“All officials must consequence management. Sithole, in an audio clip, admitted that he facilitated the appointment of the tourism manager. What makes him so special to be reinstated?”
Banda pointed out that an individual was suspended and not a position.
“How can Sithole be reinstated as the acting director for infrastructure and services while he was suspended as the local economic development manager. You should suspend the person even though he is occupying two positions.”
Samwu local chairperson Daily Semau called for all officials to face consequence management.
“All officials, regardless of their seniority, should be subjected to the code of conduct. Sithole must also undergo a disciplinary process for the irregular appointment of the tourism manager.”
Samwu deputy chairperson Joseph Mocwana questioned the decision to postpone the city-wide water shutdown planned for May 5-7 at short notice.
“Workers were not given a formal briefing of what would be done. The municipality is trying to award the tender to a former Sol Plaatje councillor who knows nothing about water. People are trying to loot the R2 billion that was allocated by National Treasury to upgrade the water infrastructure in the city.”