SAMWU Condemns Unlawful Suspensions and External Interference at Amatola Water

10 April 2025

SAMWU Condemns Unlawful Suspensions and External Interference at Amatola Water

The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) in the Amatola Region stands in uncompromised solidarity with the courageous employees and leadership of Amatola Water, who have shown remarkable resilience in the face of systemic intimidation, egregious labour injustices, and a collapse of administrative integrity. The ongoing protest action, now entering its third week, was sparked by the unlawful and vindictive suspension of ten shop stewards, including the Full-Time Shop Steward, in what can only be described as a calculated assault on worker representation. These suspensions form part of a sinister pattern of union-busting tactics and external meddling, orchestrated to silence dissent and dismantle the collective voice of those who keep this critical public entity functioning.

The roots of this crisis trace back to a deeply alarming incident on Saturday, 22 March 2025, when SAMWU leaders were coerced into an unauthorised meeting convened by an external individual allegedly acting on behalf of Amatola Water’s Acting CEO. Masked as an “intervention” to resolve tensions, this meeting has since been revealed as a brazen attempt to undermine the union’s legitimate role in safeguarding workers’ rights. Within days, SAMWU received notices of suspension targeting every shop steward, alongside a draconian court interdict aimed at criminalising lawful protest and stifling the fundamental right to dissent. These actions have left workers exposed, stripped of their elected representatives, and betrayed by an entity that has prioritised repression over dialogue. Such tactics not only violate labour laws but betray a blatant disregard for justice, democracy, and the dignity of those who dedicate their labour to this essential service.

SAMWU condemns in the strongest possible terms the unlawful suspensions, the relentless intimidation of union representatives, and the shameful outsourcing of Amatola Water’s authority to shadowy external actors with no legitimate stake in the entity’s operations. These interventions reek of desperation, exposing a leadership more committed to entrenching power than addressing the chronic maladministration and instability that have brought Amatola Water to its knees.

As a Union, we demand the immediate and unconditional reinstatement of all suspended shop stewards, the withdrawal of the punitive court interdict, and a binding commitment from management to engage SAMWU in good-faith negotiations to address the legitimate grievances of workers. Furthermore, we call upon the Minister of Water and Sanitation to intervene urgently, not only to restore stability but to dismantle the culture of impunity that has allowed this crisis to fester. The Minister’s constitutional mandate to ensure sound governance and accountability cannot be abdicated any longer.

While SAMWU engaged constructively with the Office of the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) in pursuit of resolution, we are profoundly disillusioned by the lack of meaningful progress. The meeting, rather than addressing the root causes of dysfunction, appears to have been a performative exercise aimed at pacifying workers instead of confronting the toxic leadership and external interference poisoning the entity. This charade has left employees in limbo, their livelihoods and well-being held hostage by those who prioritise control over compassion.

It is now evident that only the Department of Water and Sanitation, as the ultimate custodian of South Africa’s water boards, possesses the authority and responsibility to end this travesty. The Department must act decisively to restore corporate governance, root out corruption, and prioritise the welfare of both workers and the millions who depend on Amatola Water’s services. SAMWU reiterates that the employer’s duty to ensure a safe, respectful, and equitable workplace is non-negotiable. We will not stand idle as these rights are trampled. Every legal mechanism, every collective action, and every ounce of our resolve will be mobilised to defend our members.

To the public, media, and civil society: the struggle of Amatola Water’s employees is your struggle. When workers are silenced, when unions are crushed, and when public institutions are hijacked by unaccountable forces, the very fabric of democracy frays.

Stand with SAMWU and the workers of Amatola Water as they fight not just for their rights, but for the principles of fairness, transparency, and justice that underpin our society. Together, we will ensure that no worker is left behind, no voice is stifled, and no entity operates above the law.

Issued by SAMWU Amathole Region

Luthando Juju
Regional Secretary
073 175 7821