ANGRY Matjhabeng municipal workers affiliated to the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) in the Free State have disrupted a Workers' Day event at Phuthaditjhaba Stadium on Wednesday, 1 May.
A chaotic situation erupted when Samwu members arrived at the stadium singing loudly, howling speakers on the podium, saying Matjhabeng Mayor Thanduxolo Khalipa must fall.
Workers accused the ANC Provincial Executive Committee of protecting Khalipa over poor service delivery, alleged corruption, by-passing municipal legislations, mediocrity on monthly salaries and his recent arrest.
The workers shouted and threatened to boycott the upcoming national and provincial elections if the ANC continues ignoring their long overdue outcry for the removal of Khalipa.
Samwu provincial secretary Tiisetso Mahlatsi told Daily Sun that there won’t be stability as long as Khalipa is still the mayor.
ALSO READ: Party leader - Cancel Workers' Day!
Mahlatsi said the mayor has run the municipality like his tuck shop.
"The mayor has transgressed the legislations. He undermines collective bargaining. All the systems have been corrupt since he became the mayor. He is not suitable for that position.
"We defeated him in the bargaining council when he suspended almost 100 shop stewards. We are left with one shop steward, who was suspended for political reasons," he said.
Mahlatsi pointed fingers at Premier Mxolisi Dukwana, accusing him of supporting Khalipa amid his alleged doings under his leadership.
Samwu had suspended their six weeks of picketing at Matjhabeng Municipality offices in Welkom after Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Thembi Nkadimeng promised to intervene and solve the matter.
However, ANC provincial secretary Polediso Motsoeneng said Khalipa is going nowhere despite the threats to boycott elections.
Motsoeneng disputed all the allegations against Khalipa.
"We cannot be arbitrary to punish people who have done nothing. Khalipa has brought stability in Matjhabeng since his inception as the mayor," he said.
