Who is Speaking for the ANC? SAMWU's response to Damages Claim Threat
As SAMWU we would like to challenge the claim made in Monday's edition of The Star by Dumisa Ntuli who is reportedly speaking in his capacity as a Gauteng ANC official. He has been quoted on the Independent Online's website and in The Star saying "the strikers responsible for the estimated R6.4-million damage to central Joburg must face the law."
We have a number of questions for the official in question, and hope that he can respond as soon as possible.
Firstly, from where has he received his mandate to say that SAMWU members must foot this bill?
Secondly, how has the figure of R6.4 million been calculated and by whom?
If answers to these questions cannot be provided we must assume that this is part of a misguided misinformation campaign to belittle the demands of SAMWU for a fair and equitable grading system, and for an efficient disciplinary procedure which is time and resource sensitive. If this is the case, Mr Ntuli must first answer to his own constituency.
SAMWU is in favour of holding all Representatives accountable, including ANC Officials, and we look forward to a time when municipalities account for the millions that have been spirited away in corrupt practices or that have remained unspent or misused when our poor communities desperately need quality services. Amounts that completely dwarf the R6.4 million claimed in damages in the media. We look forward to our alliance partner comrade Ntuli making a public statement condemning corruption and maladministration in Johannesburg.
SAMWU, COSATU and the very many community organisations that have pledged their public support for our strike know that quality services can only be delivered if those who are delivering them are treated with respect and afforded the dignity of a living wage.
Only the ill-informed or those with vested interests believe that workers take strike action lightly. To disregard the sacrifices that SAMWU members have been prepared to make to right the wrong of a skewed and unfair grading system and SALGA's seven year delay in responding properly to our demands is to ignore the struggle of the poor, and the working class. Which side are you on Comrade Ntuli, the side of the working class and poor, or those who benefit from privilege and tender processes?
Our members deserve your support, but even without it they will continue the strike if SALGA does not concede to our reasonable and legitimate demands and in so doing improve services for everyone, including yourself.
NO TO EXPLOITATION OF MUNICIPAL WORKERS!
YES TO FAIR WAGES!
NO TO SALGA'S ATTACKS ON THE UNION!
YES TO SCORING A GOAL FOR JUSTICE AND DECENT WORK!
Statement issued by Tahir Sema, South African Municipal Workers' Union National Spokesperson, April 20 2010
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