Update
GEORGE NEWS - George Municipality has sent their response tonight on accusations made by Samwu earlier today, regarding their protest march to Garden Route District Municipality.
George Herald reported on the march this morning and afternoon.
Read the following statement by Municipal Spokesperson Chantèl Edwards:
"George Municipality confirms that Dr Michele Gratz, Municipal Manager for George Municipality has not formally received the statement (6 October 2022, SAMWU declares George Municipality a special project) as published by SAMWU on social media and which currently appears online on George Herald. The separate memorandum document for the protest march held today was received by the Garden Route District Municipality.
"George Municipality was not requested to attend the COSATU protest march scheduled today. The application notice for the gathering lists only the Executive Mayor of the Garden Route District Municipality and a managerial official from the Department of Labour as recipients of the memorandum. The purpose of the protest march was stated as: “cost of living”, “Service delivery”, “electricity crisis cost” and “attack on collective bargaining”.
"Dr Gratz will without prejudice, respond in detail to the many inaccurate allegations made by SAMWU in the statement (6 October 2022, SAMWU declares George Municipality a special project) which are derogatory and defamatory to her as Municipal Manager of George Municipality."
The application for the march was made by Cosatu.
Samwu Provincial Secretary, John Mcanjana, addressing the officials and union members. Photos: Michelle Pienaar
Read Dr Gratz's statement:
Municipal Manager Dr Michele Gratz responds to an inflammatory statement issued by Samwu, which was posted on Samwu's Facebook page last week:
"As indicated on Friday 7 October 2022, the referred to statement has to date not been formally received by the Office of the Municipal Manager.
"A number of inaccurate allegations are made about the Municipal Manager and a perception of poor service delivery against administration of George Municipality is created by Samwu within this statement. In an unprecedented step, I wish to provide the broader public with the factual truths and predicaments within which the municipality finds itself. The Samwu letter comes at a time of disinformation and apparent resistance from within the organisation and alleged physical threats to senior staff members who are dealing with acts of maladministration.
Please note, only those issues not subject to confidentiality clauses are responded to. Certain statements are so vague they cannot be responded to.
The following is to be noted:
1. When I assumed duties as Municipal Manager in January 2021, George Municipality was an organisation in crisis with few systems and processes in place, several hundred vacancies which included critical positions, less than 60% of annual capital budget spent, national grant funding was being lost due to poor performance and an overwhelming culture of ill-discipline prevailed.
2. The turn-around strategy has been met with resistance by some, as expected. However, the broader public is aware of the improvements, notably the upswing in capital projects and successes such as the BFI project valued at R1 107-billion for water and sewerage projects; renewable energy projects and numerous road upgrades. This has led to a capital budget expenditure improvement to 96% for the last financial year.
3. George Municipality currently employs about 1 500 staff members, of whom 36 (at all levels) are currently facing disciplinary action. This equates to just over 2% of the staff component. The charges faced are not frivolous and include assault, sexual harassment, fraudulent travel claims, absenteeism, theft, dishonesty and dereliction of duty.
4. As Municipal Manager, it is my legislative duty to ensure a well-disciplined and competent staff component to guarantee a high standard of service delivery. It must be highlighted that the majority of our officials are hard-working, competent and committed. Through the necessary change and consequence management, it can be seen that the vast majority of officials are grateful for the order, stability and structure now in place.
5. In keeping with my legislative duty as Municipal Manager, two disciplinary outcomes have been taken on review to the Labour Court after independent legal advice was obtained. The serious nature of the charges clearly necessitate this, as in one instance only a warning was given, where the official in question received a R20 000 bribe. The second charge deals with theft of municipal goods by an official, which is clearly depicted on video. As Municipal Manager, I together with my management, will not tolerate theft, bribery and corruption and as such deemed it necessary for the outcomes to be addressed. These are not frivolous or vexatious disciplinary actions.
6. Samwu states that they have “proven maladministration charges against the Municipal Manager”. There is no proof of such charges having been reported or substantiated in terms of legislation and Council-approved policies.
7. The call for me to be suspended is vexatious victimisation and is retaliation against me implementing my legal obligations as Municipal Manager as well as the change management to improve service delivery.
8. A workshop was held with both unions on the Recruitment and Selection Policy prior to Council approval. Addressing shortcomings in recruitment processes is part of the turnaround strategy being implemented by the current management as alluded to above. In addition, all of the appointment processes are now audited prior to appointments being made.
9. Management holds or attempts to hold regular meetings with both trade unions to address their other concerns including, inter alia, the implemented time and attendance system; the suggested implementation of shift schedules which would improve service delivery as well as reduce overtime costs; and danger pay demands for officials who worked during the Covid pandemic. Follow-up meetings have been unable to take place due to shop stewards repeatedly not being available.
10. Samwu has been fully informed of the facts with regard to the appointment process followed for a service provider to address investigations into irregularities as requested by the MEC for Local Government, Anton Bredell in 2020. This process occurred prior to the tenure of the current senior management and in accordance with a Council resolution.
This information was relayed to Samwu during a meeting on 13 September 2022.
"In closing, National Treasury has indicated that 43 municipalities throughout South Africa have collapsed, and 151 are on the brink of collapse. Poor governance, weak administration and a lack of skilled and disciplined staff are the primary causes of the shocking state of local government.
George Municipality cannot become a part of those statistics. I, as the Municipal Manager, together with Management, am committed to sound labour relations, but more importantly we are committed to the residents of George.
Management takes our constitutional mandate to heart and will therefore not tolerate unsubstantiated and inaccurate allegations, and more so, not hesitate to take action where necessary. We ask of our employees and of the greater public to report any corrupt and fraudulent activities through the appropriate channels. We are committed to making George the number one municipality in the country so that we can render the services which all the residents of George deserve."
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