For over three years Polokwane’s municipal workers have been wearing the same uniforms and walking in the same old shoes. As a last resort these unhappy workers and their union marched together in an attempt to rectify this issue.

An ultimatum was brought and the Polokwane Municipality agreed that the workers would receive new safety clothing and shoes. Municipal communications manager, Mr Simon Mokoatedi, agreed with this statement and added that the orders for the protective wear have already been placed and would have been delivered on 6 February. “Each worker will receive two pairs of uniforms and a new corporate identity will be evident on these uniforms”.

Ms Cecilia Molokwane, provincial secretary for the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) was hopeful that the municipality will keep to their word. She further stated that if the requirements put forth by their union were not met they would gladly be downing their tools. She explained that this does not only deter their members from doing their work but it also makes life more difficult for each and every Polokwane resident if their needs are not met in time.

Molokwane said these workers have not received any new uniforms, shoes or safety equipment in the past three years. Mokoatedi responded by saying that he unfortunately had to get the facts and figures from the municipality’s human resources section. “I will investigate and get the information to you as soon as I receive it”.

To date, Mokoatedi has still not sent any information on the above-mentioned. Molokwane reported back to the Informant that on 16 February, ten days after the promised date, no uniforms had been delivered due to a problem with the suppliers who could not deliver on time. “The suppliers can only deliver on 18 or 20 February and then also not the full order.”

Molokwane added that if, by a week from Friday, no uniforms had been received, another strike would take place.

This week, Molokwane notified the Informant that last Friday all demands were met. “We received the uniforms and by Tuesday all uniforms would have been distributed.”  - Keshia Jansens van Rensburg