Gatvol workers want mayoral chain back!

ANGRY South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) members shutdown the Sedibeng District Municipality, south of Joburg, on Monday, 24 June.

They demanded an investigation into the alleged missing mayoral chain and that the municipality shouldn't buy a new car for the mayor as she must go.

The mayoral chain went missing in July 2023, but the theft was only reported to police five months later.

Early this year, the mayor's state vehicle was found hidden at the Vaal Teknorama Museum after an alleged brakedown due to a foreign substance found inside its engine. The mayor has since applied to get a new car also worth R700 000.

Samwu Sedibeng region chairman, Peter Mofula led the protest to the municipal offices to hand over a memorandum of grievances against mayor Lerato Maloka.

Reading the memorandum, Mofula said the mayor is unwilling to co-operate and work amicably with fellow councillors, the administration and Samwu, so she should leave the municipality peacefully.

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He said Samwu is demanding the mayor to return the missing chain, which went missing on her watch and police should fast-track the case before the mayor is axed.

"We demand accountability on the mayoral car, as well as the car that broke down after sugar was found in its engine. Also, why is the car hidden at a museum with no report to the council on how it broke down?" he asked.

Mofula said that the union demands a response from the municipality within 10 working days or they'll be forced to kick out the mayor.

"We also want the municipality to hire security guards and EPWP workers permanently," he added.

Receiving the memorandum, acting mayor, Madisebo Kgomu Ya Sera assured the marchers that she'll forward the memorandum to the relevant authorities and a response will be issued within 10 days.