The disruption of essential municipal services by undisciplined and violent striking workers of the JB Marks Local Municipality (Potchefstroom and Ventersdorp) is strongly condemned.
The strike is characterised by intimidation and the vandalism of municipal property, and is even paralysing essential emergency services in the town.
At present, the fire station is unmanned and it seems that members of other emergency services, like community safety, have joined the strikers.
In addition, there were attempts to detain members of the public and non-striking officials at the town’s licensing office.
In the meantime, arrangements were made with the local army base’s fire brigade to be on standby to assist the community.
Similar incidents of unlawful conduct by municipal officials have been occurring sporadically for quite some time now. It appears that there is an utter lack of morale, work ethics and a basic sense of service among the municipal officials of the JB Marks Municipality.
The FF Plus demands that municipal management must enforce all relevant labour and other legislation to its full extent to restore discipline in the Municipality.
This cannot be allowed; residents must not suffer any more or be threatened by the conduct of criminal elements in the Municipality.
To repeatedly overlook such unlawful conduct and allow it to continue with impunity will eventually bring about the total destruction of an already unstable municipality.
Read the original article in Afrikaans by Fanie du Toit on FF Plus
