GWERU City Council workers’ plans to disrupt proceedings to mark the city’s 100 years anniversary as a municipality last Saturday flopped, after the employees failed to mobilise for the demonstration. Stephen Chadenga OWN CORRESPONDENT
Last Friday workers at the works yard picketed and waved placards denouncing the holding of the celebrations saying it was inhumane for the city fathers to hold the commemorations at a time when the local authority was failing to pay salaries.
Then, Water and Allied Workers’ Union chairman Silas Mutendeudzwa said council was supposed to address key issues affecting workers before concentrating on the 100 years celebrations.
Mutendeudzwa said police had denied them clearance to demonstrate, under the provisions of the Public Order and Security Act (Posa) but said workers waved placards during their lunch hour to express their disgruntlement.
“The demonstration flopped and as law abiding citizens we had to abandon it, but during lunch time workers at the works yard waved placards showing they are not happy with the celebrations,” he said.
But on Saturday the celebrations went ahead as planned without any hassles.
Mayor Hamutendi Kombayi yesterday told Southern Eye that there was no need for workers to “adopt a confrontational approach” as council was making frantic efforts to address the working conditions of workers.
“We are committed to improving the working conditions of workers including that of salaries as a top priority, so the issue of dressing down each other in public will be unfortunate,” he said.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
The celebrations had been shelved since July this year because of cash flow problems.
