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Racist attacks on workers in two municipalities! |
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Press Statement 4th March 2008 1pm
In Tzaneen, Limpopo Province, SAMWU members (Black workers) are frequently told that they "stink" by white workers, who also dish out other insults.
After complaints by SAMWU, the Municipal Manager instituted an inquiry that was headed by Advocate Tladi, who concluded that racism exists at Greater Tzaneen Municipality. The Municipality was expected to take steps to eradicate the atrocities that were perpetuated by those white racists, but to date nothing has been done. As such the situation is worsening.
According to SAMWU Local Chairperson Andries Sebeela, "recently in the transport division, SAMWU members were harassed by their white head of department who used abusive language against them, and apart from humiliating them, also threatened them with dismissal if they complained. Black workers are continually being told that they are corrupt. The municipality should stop talking about eradicating these elements but should take action against the perpetrators of these heinous acts."
In the Chris Hani Municipality in Eastern Cape, Sister Ntubeni, a nursing sister in charge of one of the clinics had to actually run out of her workplace to the police station to seek a protection order and to open a criminal case against a husband of a colleague. The incident happened after Sister Ntubeni was appointed head of the clinic, becoming the superior of a white woman who insists on being called "Mrs Greef". Mrs Greef was very angry that a black worker had been appointed and called in her husband, known only as "Mr Greef" to regularly abuse Sister Ntubeni. This included Mr Greef shouting racist abuse at Sister Ntubeni about a leaking sewerage drainage pipe which Mr Greef said Sister Ntubeni should repair.
Mr Greef barged into the workplace, shouted racist abuse, and threatened to kill Sister Ntubeni. He also told them that even if she goes to the police she will not make it. This was when Sister Ntubeni ran to the police station. The police in Tarkastad then told Sister Ntubeni that they would not open a case but that she should try to "resolve the matter" with Greef. Sister Ntubeni then approached the union shopsteward. "You could see that the woman was really terrified and trembling" said SAMWU Branch Secretary Ntombi Ndulula. SAMWU has now lodged a grievance against Mrs Greef who had a hand in this unbecoming conduct by her husband.
Samwu also advised sister Ntubeni to report the matter to the Human Rights Commission.
"Our politicians at both national and municipal level should stop ignoring these racist cases in municipalities and must stop simply shifting their responsibilities to the administration. This is a political matter and not an administrative one," said Ndulula.
SAMWU is also dealing with the case of Fezeka Mketsu, Chris Hani District Municipality Personnel Officer, who is continually terrorised by a white colleage. Superiors do not want to take responsibility for abuse and victimisation of employees inclusive of racism in the workplace and many workers end up resigning. SAMWU wants this to come to an immediate end.
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For comment call SAMWU Chris Hani Branch Secretary Ntombi Ndulula on 073 1390175 or Andries Sebeela, SAMWU Local Chairperson, on 082 458 2505
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