The South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) in the North West Province condemns the arrogant behaviour of the Executive Mayor of Matlosana Local Municipality; Mr K. Kgauwe.

The unacceptable and inhuman behaviour displayed by Mr Kgauwe was displayed on Friday 8 February 2013, during a workers general meeting held at the Municipality.

The honourable Mayor lost his temper because of recent exorbitant Eskom tariff hikes and the Midvaal press statement in which the Midvaal Municipality threatened to cut water supply to residents.

What was most disturbing is the statement by the Mayor which called workers “Thieves and Parcels”. Most of these workers are elderly grandfathers and grandmothers. This response by the Mayor was viewed by all the workers present as offensive and disrespectful.

This is not the first time that this Mayor had behaved in this manner.

What seemed to have further angered workers is also the fact that this Mayor disregarded staffing policies and employed a close family member and increased his salary package to an excessive R1, 1million.

Despite the delicate financial situation of the Matlosana Municipality, council took a decision to increase councillors’ salary packages.

It is also in this institution that council intends to abolish 500 posts on the organizational structure, something that our Union is totally against. This is a clear indication that this Municipality is completely disregarding the level of unemployment in the country and its area of jurisdiction.

The municipality is also failing to comply with a number of resolutions that were taken at the Local Labour Forum, including poor/lack of compliance on Health and Safety issues.

We therefore demand the following:

The institution should desist from abolishing the 500 posts from the organisational structure, as this has the potential of increasing the rate of unemployment and will have an adverse effect on the delivery of much needed services.

That the Mayor retracts and apologises to the workers of this Municipality for his disrespectful temper tantrum. This apology should be made publicly within fourteen days from today; failing which the Union will mobilise its members and the community to call for the removal of this heartless Mayor.

For further comment, contact SAMWU’s North West Provincial Secretary Jacob Modimoeng on 082 061 7800 or email: jacobm@samwumed.org

Issued by Tahir Sema.