Threat To Essential Municipal Services As SAMWU Threatens Protest Action

SANDILE MOTHA

Essential municipal services such as clinics, provision of electricity, refuse collection, water and sanitation could come to a stand still if the SA Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) and its membership agree to withdraw their services as the country braces for level 3 next week.

If SAMWU has its way, the level 3 lockdown regulations ease off might coincide with many essential services in the 278 municipalities in the country being brought to a halt.

The union representing the majority of workers in the local government sector said it had resolved to implement the  crippling measure  as a form of protest for failure by municipalities to provide workers with personal protective equipment (PPE).

Speaking to Inside Metro, union secretary Koena Ramotlou said a report from the nine provinces painted a gloomy picture about the glaring failures of municipalities to protect workers from contracting COVID-19. 

“As more offices will