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SAWMU must take responsibility for BCM illegal strike and criminality

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The following speech was delivered by the DA Eastern Cape Premier Spokesperson on Basic Services, Kevin Mileham, during a press conference at Orient Beach in East London:

The ongoing strike by South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) members in Buffalo City, which started last Tuesday, has escalated to acts of criminality, arson and widespread damage to public property on a grand scale.

Water and electricity supply to parts of the BCM have been interrupted. Municipal buildings, vehicles and infrastructure have been destroyed and service delivery has basically come to a standstill.

This not only impacting on the lives of residents, but the business sector is also suffering. In both East London and King Williamstown, businesses have had to close their doors due to a lack of electricity caused by the destruction of municipal substations, or threats to staff.

There has been a lack of communication and progress from the leadership of Buffalo City regarding the SAMWU protest action and resultant destruction of property and impact on service delivery.

The caucus leadership of the DA met with SAMWU to determine what their demands were, and why they had embarked on protest action, without declaring a dispute with the municipality. While we acknowledge that some of the demands may be legitimate, the DA is of the firm opinion that the strike itself is illegal, and that SAMWU must accept responsibility for the consequences of its actions.

SAMWU confirmed yesterday that the strike has now been infiltrated by criminals and is totally out of hand. This opens the union up to civil liability for the costs incurred. The DA calls on SAMWU to immediately condemn any criminal acts by its members, and to hold them accountable to the full extent of the law and/or any internal municipal disciplinary process. Any shielding of those responsible for this reprehensible behaviour will be viewed as condonation thereof, and SAMWU must therefore distance itself completely from the actions of these criminals.

The DA has now written to the Speaker of Council, calling for an urgent special Council meeting to discuss the crisis in Buffalo City. Specifically, we want the Council to be briefed on:

The state of the negotiations between SAMWU and BCM;

  • The extent of the damage caused to municipal infrastructure by the protest action;
  • The municipality’s plan for rectification of the situation, the repair of the damaged infrastructure and the restoration of services; and
  • The communication of the municipal response to residents of Buffalo City.
  • We also call on the Council to immediately launch an investigation into the conduct of the City Manager, Andile Sihlahla, to determine his role in causing the protest action and his fitness to hold office.

We have interacted with the Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt. General Ntshinga, in an effort to ensure that the South African Police Service prevents and investigates the damage and destruction of municipal infrastructure.

In this regard, we call on all residents who may wish to share video or photographic evidence of damage to property or arson to contact Brigadier Ngculu on 082 301 7762. We are advised that SAPS is coordinating investigation efforts, arrests have been made and further arrests are expected in due course.

A stronger, more visible public order policing presence is necessary to ensure that criminal elements do not cause more damage or threaten lives and livelihoods.

The DA will, at the Special Council meeting, propose that this dispute be referred to arbitration, which will be binding on both the municipality and the union. It is now apparent that this is the only way that this matter will be resolved. In the meantime, SAMWU must ensure that the workers get back to work and that the citizens of Buffalo City are no longer deprived of basic services.

It is becoming increasingly clear that the failing ANC government of Buffalo City does not have the concerns of the residents at heart. Only a DA government can ensure that basic services be delivered speedily to all residents of BCM and in so doing, build One South Africa for All.

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