Poor service delivery in Tembisa exposes high levels of inequalities

3 August 2022

The Congress of South African Trade Unions in Gauteng has noted with concern the deadly riots in Tembisa. The community protests in that area and across the province expose the high levels of inequalities in South Africa. Service delivery in working class areas has been suspended by all governing parties in different municipalities across the province. Similarly to millions of citizens who are angered by the failure of municipalities to provide basic services, the demonstrations by the residents are a clear indication that South Africans have had enough.  The DA-led Ekurhuleni municipality’s ignorance and the snubbing of the outcries from the community has worsened the situation even further.

The service delivery protests, especially when violent in nature, interrupt the lives of communities and badly affect workers as they are unable to report for duty at their workplaces. This has a ripple effect to the already ailing economy. COSATU has previously warned that the country is sitting on a ticking time bomb. Soon the entire province will descend into chaos like it did in July 2021.

COSATU in Gauteng is calling for an urgent round table indaba in the province that should include community organisations, political parties that govern at various municipalities and labour, to discuss ways in which service delivery challenges should be addressed.

We send our heartfelt condolences to the families of the people who lost their lives during the protests. 

Issued by COSATU Gauteng, 3 August 2022