The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Xolile Nqata has condemned the illegal strike by some of the Amathole District Municipality workers.
According to a statement issued by Nqata’s spokesperson Makaya Komisa, the protesting workers have allegedly vandalised water infrastructure and closed water valves blocking water supply to households, hospitals and clinics.
“The illegal strike has also badly affected the services of Transnet, which include the Phelophepha Health Train, currently stationed at Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality. While workers have a constitutional right to embark on strike or protest action, they need to understand that water is an essential service and they don’t have a right to infringe on other people’s rights especially from accessing water for our communities,” said Komisa.
He said Nqata visited the affected areas and reservoirs in Raymond Mhlaba and Amahlathi Local Municipalities to witness the damage caused by the illegal strike.
“Some of the things that have been done are quite harmful and they gravitate towards criminality because what is underway is criminality. It is criminal to close water, water is life we cannot deny our people water,” said Nqata.
He urged on all the affected municipalities to ensure that there is accountability and consequences for wrongdoing.
