GroundUp reports that tensions in the SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) and workers employed by the City of Tshwane erupted during a march in the city centre on Wednesday.
Among other demands, the march by several thousand people was to demand that the municipality should increase salaries, . However, the protest was marred by violence with verbal insults and sporadic scuffles among marchers. People were also seen burning their Samwu T-shirts. A group of about ten men and women, dressed in Samwu branded T-shirts, were seen booing and showing insults at some union leaders on stage. They also threw mud and other objects at the leaders. One item struck Samwu regional deputy chairperson Zeblon Matlala in the face. “You are selling us out … You are not our leaders,” shouted one irate person, while another shouted “We want other leaders who can listen to us and resolve our issues.” Samwu regional secretary Precious Theledi said the tension related to issues with some members who had demanded that leaders should first resolve a few “internal problems related to allegations of corruption” before going ahead with the march. After some negotiations, the march proceeded peacefully to the offices of the City. According to Theledi, the march brought a halt to operations in many municipal departments. Workers’ demands included issues with the implementation of performance management, a R500-million Akhile payment, a R700-million Altron contract, and the way the metro police grading system was being implemented.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Warren Mabona at GroundUp
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