The ongoing Samwu-led protest has plunged Welkom and surrounding areas into turmoil, as residents face a service delivery crisis.

For weeks, tensions between Samwu members and the municipality have simmered, reaching boiling point as negotiations continue to stall and grievances remain unresolved despite the intervention by the national government.

The union’s grievances include working conditions, the “no work no pay” municipal policy, and the alleged misuse of funds and state resources by the Matjhabeng Mayor, Thanduxolo Khalipha.

Samwu Provincial Secretary General, Tiisetso Mahlatsi, told OFM News they met with the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Thembile Nkadimeng, last week to resolve the issues.

Nkadimeng directed the municipality to reverse the “no work no pay policy” as it was applied without consultation, and for both parties to find amicable solutions. Despite continued calls for Khalipha to step aside, Nkadimeng reiterated the ANC would decide as the party deployed him.

There are continued calls for Khalipha to step aside. Photo: Facebook

Mahlatsi said the strike was not suspended as Samwu and the municipality could not find an amicable solution despite intervention by Minister Nkadimeng. The impact of the ongoing protests extends far beyond immediate inconveniences faced by the residents as the municipality had to stop some of its services at the beginning of the protest to protect non-striking workers.

DA Ward 30 Councillor, Zivumile Fandaleki, expressed dissatisfaction with the daily struggles residents must endure, resulting in communities being inundated with garbage due to negligence from the municipality. “For months, the problem persists unabated.

“Residents are left with no recourse but are forced to contribute to the growing health hazards by dumping refuse bags and waste in open fields. This exacerbates the already alarming levels of illegal dumping plaguing the area.

“Many residents lack the means to privately dispose of their waste or transport it to the Welkom landfill site,” Fandaleki said.

Matjhabeng successfully interdicted the strike, but Samwu members remained steadfast in their demands. OFM has sent an inquiry to the municipality.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi