Members of the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) have been accused of assaulting councillors at the City of Johannesburg, over a controversial R10.3 billion wage deal. On Friday, councillors at the council chambers in Braamfontein were meant to debate the proposed adjustment budget, including the controversial process to grant Samwu R10.3 billion to address salary disparities. Samwu members were spotted inside council chambers and were accused of intimidating opposition parties opposed to the wage deal.
The EFF’s Mgcini Tshwaku, who is also the MMC of public safety, told the speaker of council, Margret Arnolds, that some of his caucus members had been assaulted by Samwu members. He said this happened because the deputy mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Loyiso Masuku, had told workers that the EFF, DA and ActionSA were to blame for their salary hikes not materialising. “Councillor Mogapi was assaulted.
A woman was assaulted because of misinformation, because MMC Masuku lied publicly about the EFF. I am telling you now, let’s sort it out,” he said. The DA and ActionSA also expressed concern about the safety of their caucuses.
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Meanwhile, Arnolds had to adjourn the council for a short time so the security threat could be dealt with. She also advised those that had been assaulted by Samwu members to open cases with the police. “I am a councillor like everyone else and my safety is also in jeopardy if you are not safe,” she said.
This is the second time that this wage deal is being debated in council. It was previously rejected because it did not get enough support from all the political parties. On Friday, it was passed with 139 votes.
Last week the DA accused the ANC of lobbying their branches and Samwu to come and protest for the wage agreement when it is tabled in council. The party denied this.
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