SAMWU SECURES PERMANENT EMPLOYMENT VICTORY FOR KANNALAND MUNICIPAL WORKERS

August 21, 2026 adminPress

21 August 2026

The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) welcomes the settlement secured in the section 198B dispute involving C. Appolis and 18 other workers at Kannaland Local Municipality. The dispute concerned the permanent appointment of workers who had been employed on temporary contracts for periods ranging from four to 15 years.
SAMWU took up this matter because keeping workers in temporary employment for such extended periods is exploitative and denies them the security and dignity they deserve. These workers have continued to deliver essential municipal services despite inadequate tools of trade, insufficient personal protective equipment (PPE), unsafe working conditions and a municipal fleet that is not properly maintained. SAMWU remains committed to ensuring that their employment conditions improve substantially.

Following an assessment of the challenges confronting workers at the municipality, the SAMWU Garden Route Karoo Region has resolved to declare Kannaland Local Municipality a special project. The matters requiring urgent attention include the review of the staff establishment; proper placement of employees; the permanent absorption of temporary workers; the provision of adequate PPE; standby and overtime payments; the use of unroadworthy vehicles that endanger workers; the failure to implement Local Labour Forum decisions; political interference in the administration; appointments made without following due processes; and the outsourcing and privatisation of core municipal functions.

The settlement of the dispute between SAMWU, on behalf of C. Appolis and 18 others, and Kannaland Local Municipality represents an important victory for vulnerable and exploited workers. SAMWU acknowledges the leadership of Regional Secretary Cde Bridgette Davids, Deputy Regional Secretary Cde Portia Salimani, and former Provincial Secretary and Full-Time Shop Steward Cde John Mcanjana, whose efforts were instrumental in securing this outcome.

Kannaland Local Municipality has for many years been plagued by corruption, maladministration and the misuse of public funds at the expense of workers, ratepayers and communities. These resources should instead be directed towards strengthening the municipality, improving working conditions and delivering quality services to the communities of Ladismith and surrounding areas.

SAMWU remains committed to working towards a stable, accountable and properly functioning municipality in which ratepayers’ money is used to improve service delivery. Should the municipality’s management fail to address the outstanding demands and concerns of workers, SAMWU will have no alternative but to mobilise its members and take the struggle to the streets.

Issued by SAMWU GRK Region
Bridgette Davids,
Regional Secretary
(079 408 3776)

or
Portia Salimani,
Deputy Regional Secretary,
(073 279 2904)