The Democratic Alliance (DA) in KwaDukuza has noted the report presented to the Executive Committee (EXCO) today, informing the committee of strike action by the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU), scheduled for 5 May 2025.
The strike action relates to the grading of the municipality, a function that falls outside of the mandate of council to ratify, with the process being negotiated at a national level. We recognise that this process of grading has taken far too long and is creating huge dissatisfaction amongst staff, and we sympathise with all employees of KwaDukuza, irrespective of their union or non-union affiliation.
The progress reports surrounding grading and the process thereof has served before the Local Labour Forum and was subsequently accepted by both unions. We are therefore curious about the intention of SAMWU to disrupt services to the people of KwaDukuza for an indefinite period, and further question whether SAMWU have put adequate pressure on their national negotiators to fast track this process.
The noticeable absence of the ceremonial first citizen of KwaDukuza,Mayor Ali Ngidi, from the sitting of EXCO raises further questions. We are reminded of the public utterances made by Mayor Ngidi, on 28 February 2025, reaffirming that the issue of grading has been resolved. We further note the social media photos of the mayor with members of SAMWU (attached here).
As the DA in KwaDukuza, we are cautioning councillors and officials against making promises to workers that are outside of the competence of council.
Those that are involved in these actions, in order to further their political ambitions, must be reminded that their six-month tenure of controversy and scandal, has resulted in instability and reputational damage to KwaDukuza. Additionally, we have noted the resistance from administration to submit a comprehensive security plan that speaks to the protection of employees who will not be participating in the strike. As such,we do not support any strike action which could lead to the destabilization of the external negotiating processes that are underway.
The Democratic Alliance in KwaDukuza will be announcing in the coming days, the action steps we will be undertaking to hold the political leadership and the senior management who have enabled them, to account.