Strike action could see taps run dry
National Education Health and Allied Worker's Union (Nehawu) members working at the Department of Water and Sanitation will embark on a nationwide strike which could see millions of South Africans without water.
Nehawu addressed the media in Johannesburg on Wednesday.
The union's general-secretary Zola Sephetha says all attempts engage newly appointed Minister of Water and Sanitation Gugile Nkwinti have proved futile.
"The union has notified the newly appointed Minister Gugile Nkwinti on the intention to strike as per the requirement of Labour Relations Act as amended and asked him to meet the leadership of the union in order to be appraised of the issues that resulted into the current dispute.
"However it is disappointing that the new minister has not bothered to acknowledge the receipt nor respond to the contents of the letter, despite the negative publicity the department has attracted fro the wrong reasons."
Nehawu's list of demands include the full payment of bonuses, that the department comply with Occupational Health and Safety Act, insourcing of projects as well as issues of corruption, exploitation and abuse.
The strike is set to start on Thursday
Nehawu has also made damning allegations against former Minister of Water and Sanitation Nomvula Mokonyane.
It says there has been haphazard and unilateral suspensions of senior managers and irregular activities.
Nehawu claims that five senior managers were fired by Mokonyane.
It is understood that those suspended include three deputy directors-general , a chief director and a chief financial officer.
Efforts to reach the Department of Water and Sanitation have proved to be unsuccessful.