A protest that took place today, July 2 at the Municipal Court in Cuyler Street prompted the closure of the Uitenhage Driving Licence Testing Centre. The protest was to prompt the municipality to address the complaints of four municipal depots: the two in Kariega, one in KwaNobuhle and one in Despatch. Present at the protest were members of the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) and City Manager, Ted Pillay, to hear the cries of the general workers.
The workers who requested anonymity to protect their jobs alleged that their collective issues are:
- No ablution facilities
- No fence around the premises
- Safety issues; thieves often threaten workers as there is no fencing
- Faulty municipal vehicles
- Back pay that has not yet been paid to general workers since 2016
- Despatch depot was recently on fire; no municipal worker came to assess damage.
The SAMWU leaders and Pillay grouped all the workers present to hold an informal question and answer session at the site to hear the workers’ cries. One of the workers from the Despatch depot who requested anonymity humbly said, “The municipality has made many empty promises to us. I am glad the city manager said that he will do an oversight of all these properties. I want him to see the dire conditions we work in at the Despatch depot. Additionally, the Executive Mayor came to hear our cries and they were not resolved. Moving forward, I ask that the members responsible for not doing their work be dealt with, as we would be dealt with if we don’t do our work.”
She added, “As a woman, I have to use the public toilets at Wela Shopping Centre (in Main Road, Despatch) to relieve myself because we have no toilets at work. The fence is non-existent, which causes a security risk. I was once told by thieves to vacate the premises so that they can steal the municipal equipment that was there, which I did, because I feared for my life.” She concluded, “Why is the municipality traumatising us by making us work in these unsafe and dire conditions?”
The City Manager responded, “We need to solve this matter as I have been made aware of it. I will conduct an oversight of each depot to see their issues. I will then convene all relevant officials and give them instructions on what needs to be done. Tomorrow, I will be here again at 09:00 with those officials.”
Municipal spokesperson, Sithembiso Soyaya said when UD Express enquired about the matter, “The Municipality is aware of the protest action by a group of general workers currently taking place outside the Municipal Court in Kariega. We acknowledge and take seriously the concerns raised regarding working conditions, including issues related to ablution facilities, safety, and infrastructure.”
He added, “We understand the frustrations expressed and reiterate that procurement processes in government are governed by legislation and must follow prescribed procedures and timelines. While this may sometimes cause delays, it is critical to ensure accountability and compliance with legal frameworks.”
Soyaya concluded that a municipal representative has been assigned to engage the workers directly, and that the municipality will continue to provide updates as progress is made.
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