Union Demands Action After Alleged Shooting at Ramotshere Moiloa Municipality Offices

The South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) in the North West is sounding the alarm after an alleged shooting at the Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality brought operations to a standstill. For workers, what should be a safe public office has instead become a battleground for political power.

A Council Divided

At the heart of the turmoil is a messy political conflict that has gripped the municipality for months. Two rival ANC councillors are both claiming the mayoral chain, leaving staff and residents caught in the crossfire of factional battles.

This is not the first time council divisions have spilled into violence. Previous meetings have been marred by shouting matches and even physical fights on the floor of the chamber. The alleged gunfire at municipal offices now represents a dangerous escalation that has left employees fearful for their lives.

Workers Fear for Their Safety

SAMWU chairperson Tshepo Mogwere says the union’s priority is ensuring municipal employees are not placed in harm’s way. “Even though we don’t have the full details of what happened, our main concern here is the safety of workers,” Mogwere explained. He added that SAMWU wants immediate discussions with municipal management to secure the building and provide trauma counselling for affected staff.

For workers who clock in daily to serve their communities, the violence has turned a place of employment into a source of anxiety. Many have called for stronger safety protocols, tighter access control, and counselling programmes before they can confidently return to work.

A Symptom of Larger Political Instability

The incident in Zeerust echoes broader tensions seen across several municipalities in the North West, where service delivery often takes a back seat to political wrangling. Residents frequently take to social media to voice their frustration, with one local commenting, “How can we expect basic services when councillors are busy fighting over titles with guns involved?”

Others have expressed sympathy for the municipal workers who, through no fault of their own, are being drawn into the storm. “It’s the ordinary staff who suffer the most,” another resident shared online.

Why This Matters

Municipalities like Ramotshere Moiloa are critical in delivering water, sanitation, housing, and other basic services to local communities. When political conflict seeps into the workplace, it is not only employees who pay the price but also residents who rely on already strained local government structures.

For now, SAMWU’s demand is clear: until there is a concrete plan to guarantee safety, workers cannot be expected to return to offices that resemble conflict zones instead of service hubs.

Source:SABC News

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