SAMWU hits back at DA over “pure lies” on Johannesburg’s R10.3bn pay deal

By Charmaine Ndlela

The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) has hit back at the Democratic Alliance (DA) following the party’s criticism of a R10.3 billion agreement between the union and the City of Johannesburg.

This comes after the DA accused Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero of endorsing what it calls a “politically facilitated agreement” with SAMWU, an agreement the party says will saddle the City with an unfunded R10 billion obligation until 2027.

The party’s lawyers wrote to the City of Johannesburg on Thursday, accusing Morero of misleading the Council and SAMWU by creating false expectations and placing the City at severe financial risk.

However, SAMWU Regional Secretary Thobani Nkosi dismissed the DA’s claims as “pure lies,” accusing the party of political posturing and selective memory.

“They behave like they’ve got amnesia,” Nkosi said.

“What happened in 2016, when Herman Mashaba was the Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg