The Chief Whip of the Makhado Municipality, Cllr Rudzani Ludere,  said this week that the issues which members of the South African Municipal Workers Union were raising were very serious.

He said that workers were not just making unfounded allegations. Ludere was commenting on allegations made by SAMWU members of the irregular awarding of tenders. "Serious investigations need to be conducted into the matter, and whoever is found guilty will face the consequences," Ludere said.

SAMWU members are adamant that corruption is rife when tenders are being awarded. In a memorandum, the union says that people are awarded tenders when their businesses are not compliant and that staff members are given instructions on who should be awarded tenders.

Ludere said that whoever was involved wanted to dent the image of the ANC as the ruling party. "It is not the ANC's (policy) that such things be happening in the municipality. This is being done by individuals who want to enrich themselves," he said. Ludere warned that harsh action would be taken against individuals and companies found to be involved in corruption.

Meanwhile, the regional chairperson for the ANCYL in the Makhado sub-region, Thilivhali Ramashidzha, said the youth league was not happy about what was happening at the municipality "as it affects service delivery". He said that it was clear that the top management was not ready to serve the community. "It is a very disturbing matter, when one looks at the high unemployment rate young people are faced with. Corrupt officials must just go," said Ramashidzha.

He said that the youth league was ready to pursue the matter further until the workers' demands were met. SAMWU members picketed outside the municipality's gate on Tuesday.