The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s capitulation under union pressure to unconditionally withdraw letters of suspension for officials who physically removed a senior manager in the Energy and Electricity Directorate from his office, demands urgent disciplinary action.
Just weeks ago, 13 officials in the Electricity and Energy Directorate stormed the office of the Acting Executive Director, forcibly removed him, and threatened to plunge the metro into darkness unless their demands were met. The Acting Executive Director is tasked with running one of the most critical service directorates in the city, yet he must contend with officials who use violence and intimidation to dictate outcomes.
Instead of facing consequences, these individuals have been shielded by the Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe and backed by their SAMWU representatives, who rejected the Acting City Manager’s proposed compromise of final written warnings. Notably, the final written warnings were offered without prior investigation or disciplinary hearing.
Proper disciplinary charges must now be formulated, and laid against the 13 officials. Withdrawing letters of intention cannot be interpreted as releasing the officials involved of accountability.
We have written to the Member of the Mayoral Committee for Corporate Services, Khusta Jack, urging him to exercise political direction for the right purposes and ensure that Labour Relations exercises its prerogative, allowing no tolerance for thuggery and ensuring that it does not go unpunished.
By giving in to the mob intimidation, the Acting City Manager has set the dangerous precedent that officials can hold the administration to ransom and no longer need to use the proper grievance processes at their disposal when unhappy with managers.
The DA is clear in its demands that officials who threatened sabotage and assaulted a senior manager must be disciplined. The Acting City Manager must explain how he will restore order, protect senior staff, and end union dominance over the metro
The metro currently struggles with an ANC-led coalition government that rewards lawlessness, silences accountability, and risks the collapse of the municipality.
Nelson Mandela Bay deserves a DA government that is firm, principled, and unafraid to enforce the rule of law.
The DA will not stop demanding accountability until order is restored.