News24 reports that members of the SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) marched to the East London City Hall on Tuesday to express their dissatisfaction with maladministration and corruption, which they alleged was widespread in the metro.
Reading out a memorandum handed to Mayor Princess Faku, Samwu’s Mncedisi Mzotsho said financial mismanagement and lack of accountability had brought service delivery to a grinding halt in the metro. "The metro is currently under a financial recovery plan. Despite this, there has been no tangible improvement in the municipality's financial situation. Additionally, service delivery in the municipality has not improved despite the ongoing efforts under the recovery plan," claimed Mzotsho. He went on to say: "The ongoing issues in [the metro] are a direct result of a lack of effective leadership within both the political and administrative structures of the municipality. Samwu believes that unless there is a significant change in leadership, particularly before the 2026 local government elections, [the metro] risks losing its standing and confidence among residents." The march was supported by other Cosatu-aligned unions and ANC alliance partners. The metro embarked on a financial recovery plan towards the end of 2023 after its cash reserves dwindled. However, it has yet to recover. Faku promised to respond to Samwu within 14 working days.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sithandiwe Velaph at News24 (subscription or trial registration required)
- Read too, Samwu members embark on service delivery strike in Buffalo City Metro, at SABC News
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