SAMWU Union Members Suspended Following Council Disruption

Six members of the South African Municipal Workers' Union (SAMWU) have been placed on special leave following their disruption of a council meeting at the Oudtshoorn Municipality. The meeting held last month was disrupted as these union members sought to communicate their concerns through a memorandum stamped to the mayor.

Allegedly, the members stormed the council chambers with unrelenting determination. Their goal was to halt the councilors from vacating the council hall until their memorandum was duly perused by the mayor. These members cited concerns over purported illegal practices ongoing in the municipality – casting accusing fingers at the council and the municipality's administration. Remaining mute, according to them, was no longer plausible.

Amy Sylvester, SAMWU's secretary, bitterly criticised the council for what she termed a "blatant undermining of the municipality's selection and recruitment policy". The secretary mentioned an instance where the deputy mayor's office manager was appointed the area manager for Dysselsdorp and De Rust, devoid of any due process. This appointment, which came with an upswing in remuneration, she criticised sternly.

A promising meeting intent on discovering the next line of action is scheduled by the union leadership this week. Reacting to the controversial suspension, Sylvester stated, "The municipality suspended all shop stewards," adding that "The Labour Court has on numerous decisions given warning to employers on issues of unfair suspension because of its detrimental impact on the employee's reputation, advancement, job security, and on other grounds."

Oudtshoorn mayor, Chris Mcpherson, responded to the union's claims and confirmed the suspension of the six SAMWU members. The mayor assured that internal proceedings related to the matter were ongoing.