SAMWU Condemns Violent Attacks and Political Chaos in Ditsobotla Council
11 March 2025
SAMWU Condemns Violent Attacks and Political Chaos in Ditsobotla Council
The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) in the North West province is outraged and deeply saddened by the violent attacks that have once again plunged the Ditsobotla Local Municipality into chaos, leaving at least two people injured. This is not the first time the municipality has descended into such disarray, and tragically, it is always the workers who bear the brunt of the violence and instability. As SAMWU, we demand immediate accountability for those responsible and calls for urgent measures to ensure the safety and security of municipal employees.
The disgraceful events of the day, which saw two Executive Mayors, two Speakers, and two Municipal Managers reporting for duty simultaneously, have exposed the depth of the political dysfunction in Ditsobotla. This farcical situation has created an environment of lawlessness, where violence and anarchy thrive, and workers are left vulnerable. This violence and anarchy is a result of this toxic political climate which has been left unchallenged for a long time.
SAMWU condemns in the strongest terms the violent altercations that took place, including the reported gunfire and physical confrontations between Councillors and municipal security. Such behaviour is a gross violation of the democratic principles we hold dear and a betrayal of the trust placed in elected officials by the people of Ditsobotla.
The conduct of certain Councillors, who convened a parallel Council meeting in defiance of due process, is a blatant disregard for the rule of law and the democratic rights of the voters who elected them. This political infighting and instability have brought service delivery to a standstill, leaving the residents of Ditsobotla to suffer the consequences.
We so wish that Councillors could channel the same intensity and energy they use to fight one another into addressing the pressing challenges that Ditsobotla faces daily. Imagine what could be achieved if their focus shifted from political infighting to tackling service delivery backlogs, improving infrastructure, and uplifting the lives of the residents who depend on them. The people of Ditsobotla deserve leaders who fight for them, not against each other.
This is not the first time the municipality has descended into chaos, and each time, workers are the ones who get hurt. SAMWU will no longer tolerate this repeated cycle of violence and instability. We demand improved security measures for all employees of the municipality to ensure their safety while carrying out their duties. Workers must be able to perform their roles without fear of violence or harm.
The ongoing divisions within the parties that form the Council are not only shameful but also detrimental to the community. As workers and residents of the municipality, we call on all political parties to set aside their differences, act with urgency, and resolve their intolerances through constructive dialogue. The time for political posturing is over; the time for action is now.
Additionally, we urge the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) and the Premier of the North West Province to intervene without delay. Normality should return to the municipality with immediate effect, workers and residents of the municipality deserve a Council that prioritises the needs of the community over personal or political gain. Workers and residents of Ditsobotla Municipality cannot afford to wait any longer. The continued dysfunction of the council is a betrayal of their trust and a denial of their right to safety, dignity, and basic services.
Enough is enough, workers’ safety is non-negotiable!
Issued by SAMWU North West Province
Vincent Diphoko
Provincial Secretary
083 580 8815