SAMWU REMEMBERS SLAIN WORKER AT STEVE TSHWETE LOCAL MUNICIPALITY.
17 August 2023
SAMWU REMEMBERS SLAIN WORKER AT STEVE TSHWETE LOCAL MUNICIPALITY.
Today, the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) along with the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality in Mpumalanga province held a commemoration event to remember Cde Tshepo Maseko who was murdered by security personnel appointed by the municipality.
On 17 August 2022, members of SAMWU at the municipality embarked on a protest action demanding the implementation of the correct salary grading of the municipality. In response to the demands by workers, security was unleashed on workers resulting in the unfortunate death of Cde Maseko and injuries of Cdes Harris Stofile, Sibusiso Thabang and Sarel Vilakazi. As a result of this action, one worker remains wheelchair bound as a result of the injuries suffered from the gun shots.
The commemoration of this dark day in the history of the municipality is to honour the life of Cde Maseko and three other municipal workers. Importantly, the commemoration is meant to foster healing to the families of the affected employees, friends and colleagues.
This day should serve as a reminder to the municipality, and many other municipalities that the heavy-handed and disproportional responses to demands by workers results in irreversible consequences as was seen in the Steve Tshwete.
The death of Cde Tshepo Maseko will not be in vain, his death will fortify the resolve of municipal workers to demand better working conditions. May the spirit of Cde Tshepo Maseko rest in peace!
Aluta continua!
Issued by SAMWU Secretariat
Dumisane Magagula
General Secretary
076 580 4029
Or
Sam Lukheleni
Mpumalanga Provincial Secretary
072 834 3064