MAKHADO – Emotions ran high last Wednesday when striking SAMWU (South African Municipal Workers Union) rampaged through Council's premises in protest of Mr Jimmy Moodie resuming his duties at the local Electricity Department last week.

Mr Moodie, as well as a fellow worker, Mr P Shirindza, was suspended with immediate effect on October 6 last year, following a heated argument and subsequent brawl at the Electrical Engineers Department, of which Mr Moodie is the superintendent.

Both men, Mr Moodie as a member of Imatu (Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union) and Mr Shirindza, as a member of SAMWU, returned to work last week, following an investigation. Mr Moodie's return to work was, however, met with severe protest from SAMWU members.

On Wednesday morning, upset SAMWU members embarked on an illegal strike, staging a stay-in at the municipal supply store. After lunch, the large group of protestors converged at Council's offices and went on to ransack the building. Dustbins were overturned and hallways were littered ankle high with rubbish. The scene was reminiscent of SAMWU's July 2002 nation-wide strike which left the town looking like a rubbish dump as rowdy protestors took to the streets. The strike came to a tragic end locally as a group of striking SAMWU members viciously attacked the then acting Municipal Manager, Mr Wilson Nkuna. Mr Nkuna fired several shots with his firearm into the crowd, wounding several strikers and killing one. A court investigation later found that Mr Nkuna had acted in self-defence.

The situation on Wednesday reached boiling point when members of the police were called in to control and remove the group of illegally striking SAMWU members. Initially it was indicated that all striking members would be arrested, as local senior police officials pointed out that crimes had already been committed. However, the police refused to make any arrests. It is not clear why no arrests were carried out. It was already late afternoon when the group of striking workers were asked to return home for fear that they might not get transport in time. This amidst negotiations between Council and SAMWU officials. The crowd dispersed with the promise to continue their illegal strike on Thursday, which indeed proved to be the case.

A spokesperson for the municipality, Mr Moses Tsheli, said on Wednesday that SAMWU members returned to work this week, following a meeting with them. During this meeting, SAMWU's management was informed of a decision taken by Council that both men's suspension be lifted until such time as Council can conclude an internal disciplinary investigation into the matter.