“You Can’t Silence Us”: Tshwane Workers Barred from Protest, But Not Backing Down

Blocked but not broken, city workers demand justice for unpaid increases and past dismissals

Just hours before they were set to make their voices heard, municipal workers in Tshwane were stopped in their tracks. Despite securing legal permission under the Regulation of Gatherings Act, the protest, planned to take place outside Tshwane House was abruptly blocked by city officials.

The workers, many of whom are members of the Concerned Tshwane Workers Forum, say they’re not walking away from the fight. At the heart of their frustration? Unpaid salary increases, the dismissal of over 180 workers from the 2021 strike, and the city’s alleged failure to own up to R9 billion in financial mismanagement.

A Protest Permitted, Then Denied

Themba Nkabinde, a leading voice in the forum, expressed disbelief at how the situation unfolded.

“We had permission to protest. But the head of HR came and told us we needed additional permission because we’re city employees,” Nkabinde said.

It’s a technicality that many say was used to silence the movement.

The group of workers had gathered peacefully, intending to highlight the city’s failure to pay a promised 5.4% wage increase. But they were told to disband, a move that has sparked anger across municipal ranks.

Billions Wasted, But No Money for Workers?

What makes the pay dispute sting even more is what workers allege as gross financial mismanagement within the city.

Nkabinde pointed to a recent report from the Auditor-General, which noted R4.5 billion in wasteful spending and R5 billion in unauthorised expenditure.

“That’s R9 billion wasted while the city claims it has no money for workers,” he said. “How does that make sense?”

Municipal workers are still reeling from years of what they describe as broken promises, some going back as far as 2021, when a municipal strike led to the dismissal of 182 employees.

Call for Reinstatement of Dismissed Workers

Sekete Mokobane, deputy convenor of the forum, said those workers must be brought back.

“They were let go during a legitimate dispute. We cannot ignore that. The city must make it right,” Mokobane said.

The forum has vowed to regroup and submit a new application to protest, this time ticking every procedural box the city might raise.

SAMWU Still Pushing for Fair Pay

Meanwhile, the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) is still demanding the city make good on a 3.5% salary increase that dates back to 2021.

“This delay is more than an inconvenience, it’s causing real financial hardship for thousands of families,” said Donald Monakisi, Samwu’s regional secretary.

Public Outrage and Political Implications

Social media lit up with support for the workers. One X user wrote, “How can a city cry poor after wasting R9 billion? Pay the workers what they’re owed.” Others called the protest block “a violation of democratic rights.”

The growing unrest in Tshwane also has political undertones, as parties like the EFF and ANC in Gauteng have previously used labour disputes to pressure the DA-led municipality.

As the workers regroup, many are asking: How long will the city ignore the people who keep it running?

For now, the protest may be postponed, but the fight is far from over.

{Source: The Citizen}

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