Ngaka Modiri Molema SAMWU bites the dust
The labour court in Braamfontein has dismissed the court application by South Africa Municipal Workers Union, SAMWU in Ngaka Modiri District Municipality of the alleged unlawful lock out against the workers in the municipality. SAMWU filed the application alleging that the Administrator and the Department Local Government and Human Settlement had locked out their members after the workers were ordered to remain at home for few days.
The argument by Administrator was that he had ordered a temporary closure of the Mahikeng offices (Head Office) for a few days as an effort to bring stability to the municipality. Few days later workers went through employment validation process and to be accredited to enter the municipality premises.
When the Administrator Kumaran “Kulu” Nair was to assume his duties together with the Intervention Team on 26 September 2014, there were a group of people within the premises of the municipality who were continuously chanting slogans without engaging in any work. Municipal vehicles which included trucks and fire brigade blocked all entrances into the municipality.
Workers were against the decision by the provincial government to dissolve the council and put Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality under administration.
The Intervention Team assumed duties a day after the North West High Court had dismissed an application launched by the municipality to interdict the provincial government from appointing an Administrator and for the court to set aside the EXCO’s decision to dissolve the council.
SAMWU alleged that the action by the department was unlawful and it constituted an unlawful lockout of workers but the labour court dismissed the application. No cost was however made by the court.
MEC for Local Government and Human Settlement Collen Maine said that he never had any doubt that the court will rule in their favour. “The court has confirmed that our decision as the provincial government was lawful as it intended to bring calm and stability into the municipality. Our action had the best interest of workers at heart as we needed to separate workers from those who were rented to bring anarchy to the district municipality. We knew all along that the court application will never see the light of the day” remarked Collen Maine.
Enquiries:
Ben Bole
Cell: 071 566 1399
