By OBAKENG MAJE

The embattled Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) was left with ‘an egg’ on its face after yet another court case loss. This comes after the North West High Court sitting in Mahikeng, dismissed the municipality’s attempt to get an interdict against striking employees over the R2500 danger allowance.   

The municipality filed for a court order seeking an interdict against striking municipal employees, who mostly belong to South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU). The municipality alleged that these workers threw garbage and feaces in the municipal offices and this has negatively affected the smooth running of the organisation.

The municipal workers embarked on a strike almost a month ago, demanding the R2500 danger allowance. This comes after municipal directors and senior managers allegedly received R2500 monthly as a danger allowance during the COVID-19 pandemic, while general workers only received R1500.

The GTLM’s acting municipal manager, Andrew Makuapane addressed the workers three weeks ago and told them that the municipality won’t be able to pay them because there is no money. However, things took a different turn when the municipal mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe, who was also part of the meeting, ‘threw’ Makuapane under the bus and told employees that the municipality has enough money.

This caused mayhem as workers went berserk. They went to the streets and threw feaces and littered the Taung Central Business District (CBD) including municipal offices. 

However, things have since calmed down as these workers returned to work. The municipality will need almost R6 million to pay striking workers.

SAMWU provincial secretary, Vincent Diphoko said: “I think this is a victory for us as SAMWU because the matter was dismissed without any cost from both parties. From our background, this means each and every municipality should not take their issues to court without proper understanding or dealing with them at a local level first.

“If the court granted the municipality an interdict, then we would have known that the municipality was right to bring this matter to court. So, this means the union was correct to defend this matter on the basis that this matter does not see the light of the day.”

Diphoko further said, now it is up to the municipality to go back to the drawing board and address this matter. He added, they still going to engage the municipality to pay the employees what they are to them.

Meanwhile, the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe said: “Remember, the municipal manager does not speak as an individual, but the council resolution. If the council says there is no money and they would not be able to pay employees, that is the resolution of the council.

“However, where I am sitting as the mayor, I know that the municipality has enough money. But at the same time, it is only the council that should decide on whether to pay employees or not.”

Gaoraelwe said from an individual perspective, it is not fair what is happening to these employees, but he cannot divorce himself from the council resolution. He said the council resolution is binding, even as unfair as it is.  

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By OBAKENG MAJE

FOUR children drowned while swimming in a river at Manthe village near Taung on Tuesday afternoon. It is alleged that, Kabo Tsipane (5), Kagoentle Phiri (6), Oratile Sereo (7), and Omaatla Sereo (7) were playing in the water and drowned.  

The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said: “We can confirm that four boys between the age of 5 and 7 drowned, while they were playing in the water. The water was too deep and they could not swim hence they drowned.

“There is no foul play suspected and an inquest case is under investigation. We advise the public to take heed and apply the safety tips. When swimming, please never swim alone and do not duck and push others into or around water.”

Myburgh further said, the public should ensure that the water depths are appropriate for swimming and diving. She added, people should never dive into muddy or unclear water and should not swim during electrical storms.

“Do not enter the water unless you are a strong swimmer and when swimming in dams, check the edge of the dam for soft mud. Move slowly to the water, if the ground retreat. Weeds may occur in all environments and should be avoided whenever possible.

“If caught in a weed or kelp, swimmers should remain calm, keep all movement to a minimum and remove the weed or kelp before swimming out. Swimmers should also be careful of currents and undertows in fast-flowing rivers,” said Myburgh.

She said extreme care should be taken when entering the rivers due to changing conditions. Myburgh said before people could enter the water, they should check the strength of the current as this will absorb the head and body from serious injury, if caught in a fast-flowing river, travel feet first.

“When you fall into the water, unable to stand and reach the side quickly, you should stay calm. You should keep your head above the water by kicking as if you are cycling and by paddling with your hands at the same time. Also, try not to swallow water and when you swim in open water, it is much harder than swimming in the still waters of a pool,” she said.

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