The Citizen reports that the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is confident there is no risk of an interruption to water supply services.  

This despite the National Education Health and Allied Workers’ Union’s (Nehawu’s) national strike in 53 of the department’s workplaces across the country.  DWS spokesperson Sputnik Ratau said on Thursday:  “I’m hoping that water and sanitation services don’t get interrupted.  As of now, there is water in the municipal as well as in the entity infrastructure.  This also includes our water bores.”  He also said that operators were regarded as essential services, so they should be allowed to go on site and keep the infrastructure going.  The department was hoping that “even if people continue striking, the issue of essential services don’t come under fire.”  The strike follows a deadlock in negotiations with the DWS regarding complaints of outsourcing, service conditions and corruption within senior management.  The union has also accused former minister Nomvula Mokonyane of “unlawfully suspending many senior managers” and “refusing to implement arbitration awards which are favourable to the union”.  It plans to take legal action against Mokonyane and present evidence to the Hawks.

• Read this report by Sanele Gumada in full at The Citizen
• See too, Nehawu slams Mokonyane for Water Department’s woes, at EWN
• And also, Nehawu to remain on water strike until demands meet, at EWN

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page