SAMWU calls for calm in the City of Tshwane

6 March 2023

The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) in the Tshwane Region has noted with concern developments in the City of Tshwane post the election of Dr Murunwa Makwarela as the new Executive Mayor of the City of Tshwane. The election of the former speaker meant that the Council was without the Speaker, necessitating that a new Speaker be elected by Council. 

We have since witnessed a war of words and Councillors assassinating each other’s characters and questioning the bona fide of some. Of concern to SAMWU is statements by Councillor Brink that some Councillors will be hunted and eliminated. We all are aware of political killings in municipalities and as such, we regard the statements by Cllr Brink to be reckless and irresponsible, especially given the fact that more than six Councillors in the City of Tshwane were killed in the last term and three of them in less than two years. 

We, therefore, call on Councillors to be considerate in the language they use and to refrain from intimidating others.  All political parties represented in Council are called to put aside their political differences and focus on restoring the City of Tshwane to its days of glory and an exemplary City that delivers services to residents. 

As SAMWU, we further call on politicians to refrain from intimidating employees based in political offices including the Office of the Executive Mayor and the Speaker. We have since requested a meeting with the City Manager to engage on the future of those affected by the changes in political leadership. SAMWU will always be on the side of employees irrespective of the political parties they belong to or represent. 

We have also noted that the coalition partners of the previous administration have now set their sights and are gunning for the City Manager who has called for a special Council sitting to fill the vacancy of Speaker. According to this coalition, the City Manager is not empowered to call such a sitting, their argument goes against the provisions of the Municipal Structures Act and the legal opinion that was sought by the City Manager confirming the authority to call for a Council meeting in the absence of a Speaker. 

As a Union, we are of the firm view that to cement the revitalisation of the City, Council should elect a Speaker to ensure that the business Council continues and that resolutions that would take the City forward and out of the woods are taken and implemented. As workers and residents of the City, we are tired of politicking, we need all stakeholders to work hard in ensuring that services are delivered.  

Issued by Nkhetheni Muthavhi, Regional Chairperson, 6 March 2023