Kimberley-A task team has been established to look into the demands of workers at the Sol Plaatje municipality in the Frances Baard region over the take up of contract workers.

This came after the intervention of the ANC on Monday who tried to break the stalemate between the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) and the municipality over the matter.

MEC for corporate governance, human settlement and traditional affairs Alvin Botes has welcomed the intervention of the ANC.

The ANC intervention came in the wake of a strike by Samwu members who demanded that more than 300 casual workers be employed permanently by the municipality.

Workers threatened to embark on a full-blown strike over the matter.

Yesterday Botes confirmed that a task team would be established and its terms of reference would be finalised on September 3, “whereupon the execution of their mandate will start”.

“The task team will, as reported, have one month in which to finalise its work and report back to the collective. I am of the opinion that there is not as yet a crisis as portrayed by the media but should no amicable solution be found soon, I will use all powers entrusted in me to intervene and resolve the matter within the legal framework provided,” he said.

Botes said he supported the initiative and recognised the progress made by the municipality with regard to the recent audit outcomes.

He also applauded the municipality for having moved from a series of disclaimers to a qualified audit.

“If we are to deliver services of high quality to the people, we need to ensure that the municipality is fully functional and that all parties involved fulfil their contractual obligations.”

Source: http://www.thenewage.co.za