Polokwane mayor abuses power - union

2011-04-13 19:41

Johannesburg - Polokwane Mayor Freddy Greaver is abusing his political power, the SA Municipal Workers' Union (Samwu) in Limpopo said on Wednesday.

Greaver had abused his political power by "unnecessarily" halting municipal services last week to call all employees to the Jack Botes Hall to explain and justify why workers were suspended, Samwu spokesperson Tahir Sema said in a statement.

"We view this as an abuse of political power; this act was nothing more than a propaganda stint to gain support for the unprocedural suspension of workers.

"This conduct can be seen as an attempt to instil fear in workers and divide the union's membership," Sema said.

"The union understands and respects the collective agreement on disciplinary procedure and will not allow any politician to execute administrative responsibilities."

Greaver's justification of municipal managers breaking into Samwu members offices' was confirmation that the "worst is yet to come".

Samwu has called on the ANC to intervene.

"It has now become difficult to vote or support the mayor as an ANC candidate, as he does not take the union and its members seriously," Sema said.

- SAPA