Alex Matlala
Alex Matlala
Members of the South African Municipal Workers' Union (Samwu) in the Greater Tzaneen Municipality, in Limpopo, are to mount a protest march today against alleged racism and nepotism in the municipality.
About 400 workers are to hand over a memorandum of grievances to the mayor, Othaniel Mushwana, at the municipal buildings.
The workers are demanding, among other things, an urgent end to nepotism and the dismissal of white employees who allegedly insult their black colleagues.
Samwu said the march was triggered by the recent appointment of a junior staff member in the community services department of the municipality to a senior post simply because she was romantically involved with her manager.
In addition, the woman has been receiving a salary of more than R8000 a month for a non-existent post which was allegedly created for her.
The union also claims that some senior white officials make racist remarks.
The managers are alleged to have said blacks were difficult to work with because they did not wash and stank.
The workers also demand that the municipal manager, Mabakane Mangena, stop appointing people he has personal connections with.
They say Mangena comes from the nearby Lenyenye township and that most of the new staff at the municipality also reside there.
Samwu chairman in the municipality Andries Sebela said they would give the municipality seven days to respond to their demands.
Mangena confirmed knowledge of the impending march.
Workers march against racism, nepotism
Alex Matlala
Alex Matlala
Members of the South African Municipal Workers' Union (Samwu) in the Greater Tzaneen Municipality, in Limpopo, are to mount a protest march today against alleged racism and nepotism in the municipality.
About 400 workers are to hand over a memorandum of grievances to the mayor, Othaniel Mushwana, at the municipal buildings.
The workers are demanding, among other things, an urgent end to nepotism and the dismissal of white employees who allegedly insult their black colleagues.
Samwu said the march was triggered by the recent appointment of a junior staff member in the community services department of the municipality to a senior post simply because she was romantically involved with her manager.
In addition, the woman has been receiving a salary of more than R8000 a month for a non-existent post which was allegedly created for her.
The union also claims that some senior white officials make racist remarks.
The managers are alleged to have said blacks were difficult to work with because they did not wash and stank.
The workers also demand that the municipal manager, Mabakane Mangena, stop appointing people he has personal connections with.
They say Mangena comes from the nearby Lenyenye township and that most of the new staff at the municipality also reside there.
Samwu chairman in the municipality Andries Sebela said they would give the municipality seven days to respond to their demands.
Mangena confirmed knowledge of the impending march.
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