SAMWU CONDEMNS RAY NKONYENI’S TROIKA FOR MISLEADING THE ANC CAUCUS ABOUT ONGOING NEGOTIATIONS

The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) is deeply disheartened and outraged by the deliberate lies and misleading reports propagated by the Speaker of Council and the Municipal Manager of Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipality (RNM). Their persistent attempts to deceive Councillors and the community undermine transparency, accountability in governance, and the spirit in which the Union and the Municipality are currently engaged in negotiations.

SAMWU South Coast Region has reliably learned that the Municipal Manager, supported by the Speaker of Council, has presented a fabricated report to the African National Congress (ANC) RNM Caucus. This report falsely claims that SAMWU has accepted an offer of three months’ compensation. Such misinformation is a blatant attempt to divert the Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, 21 January 2025, from addressing the challenges created by the Municipal Manager’s refusal to implement the arbitration award in favour of SAMWU and its members.

To clarify the facts, SAMWU wishes to place the following on record:

1.   Timeline of Engagements: RNM officials met with SAMWU on Friday, 17 January 2025, following a meeting in Durban on 15 January 2025. These meetings were convened to resolve the ongoing dispute between the parties.

2.   Initial Offer from RNM: The Municipal Manager, supported by Heads of Departments (HODs) and the TROIKA, proposed three months’ compensation for all SAMWU-affiliated workers, excluding Grade 5 salary adjustments, which are central to the dispute. SAMWU rejected this offer, as it failed to address the key issues outlined in the arbitration award.

3.   Disputed Grade 5 Status: At the 15 January meeting, the TROIKA, led by the Speaker and Mayor, disputed RNM’s status as a Grade 5 Municipality. SAMWU countered this by presenting supporting documents, prompting an adjournment to allow the TROIKA time to review the evidence.

4.   Evidence of Grade 5 Status: The documents provided by SAMWU, sourced from 2024 council records, included a motivation by the Municipal Manager for salary increases for himself and other employees, based on RNM’s Grade 5 status.

5.   Revised Offer and Rejection: At the 17 January 2025 meeting in Port Shepstone, RNM conceded that SAMWU’s position on the Grade 5 status was correct. They revised their offer to include both the implementation of Grade 5 adjustments and three months’ compensation. SAMWU rejected this proposal, maintaining its demand for the full implementation of the arbitration award, including six months’ compensation.

6.   Commitment to Resolution: SAMWU recognised the discussions as an effort to reach an out-of-court settlement but made it clear that it would not compromise on the fundamental terms of the arbitration award. The Municipality agreed to revise its proposal and revert to SAMWU, while SAMWU committed to consulting its members on potential flexibility.

7.   Misleading the Caucus: Contrary to the claims made by the Municipal Manager, SAMWU has not accepted any offer. These falsehoods are a calculated attempt to sow division within SAMWU’s ranks. Furthermore, SAMWU is aware of the Speaker’s underhanded tactics, including sponsoring dissent among SAMWU members to force acceptance of the Municipality’s inadequate proposal.

It is categorically false and misleading to claim that SAMWU has accepted RNM’s offer. These blatant lies are a calculated attempt to create divisions within SAMWU’s membership, undermining our unity and purpose. We are not surprised by the actions of Speaker Cllr Gumbi, who has been relentlessly working to divide SAMWU by spreading misinformation among our members.

SAMWU is also aware of the Speaker’s deliberate and unethical sponsorship of certain members to push for acceptance of the inadequate offer during the report-back meeting held on Saturday. These divisive tactics are unacceptable and show a clear disregard for the principles of fair negotiation and integrity. Such actions not only destabilise the union but also compromise the collective bargaining process, which is essential for upholding the rights of municipal workers.

We caution the leadership of RNM to immediately cease misleading both the municipality’s structures and the public. These efforts to shield the Municipal Manager from accountability and to defend his repeated failures only further damage the credibility of the TROIKA. It is well-documented that the Municipal Manager has, on numerous occasions, demonstrated his unwillingness to report to or collaborate effectively with the TROIKA, a dereliction of duty that directly impacts service delivery and the lives of workers and residents alike.

SAMWU also recognises the immense pressure on the TROIKA to mislead the Council in order to avoid intervention by the MEC of COGTA. However, resorting to lies and misinformation will not resolve this dispute. SAMWU remains steadfast in its commitment to a transparent and honest resolution process. Only truth, integrity, and adherence to the arbitration award will bring about a just outcome for all parties involved.

 We call upon the African National Congress in Ray Nkonyeni Municipality to urgently intervene in this matter. As the ruling party, the ANC has a responsibility to ensure that the municipality operates with integrity, transparency, and in the best interests of both workers and the community. The ongoing delays, dishonesty, and refusal to implement the arbitration award not only infringe on the rights of municipal workers but also hinder the municipality’s ability to deliver quality services to the public.

The ANC must urgently take decisive action to hold the TROIKA and Municipal Manager accountable, ensuring that workers’ rights are protected, and service delivery is prioritised. The lives and livelihoods of municipal workers cannot continue to be collateral damage in a struggle characterised by misinformation and division. We urge the ANC to lead by example, demonstrating the values of justice, fairness, and accountability that the public expects from its leadership.

SAMWU remains committed to working towards a resolution that respects the arbitration award, upholds the rights of municipal workers, and restores dignity to the bargaining process. Any further attempts to mislead the public or disrupt union unity will be met with unwavering resistance.

Issued by SAMWU South Coast Region

Ntombifuthi Mzotho 

Regional Secretray 

0817042188

Or 

Menzi Luthuli 

Provincial Organizer 

0827371504