Municipality slaps EFF member and others with court interdict

Chris Hani District Municipality (CHDM) and its Municipal Manager have headed to the Bhisho High Court to secure an urgent interdict against Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) member Onwaba Swaartbooi and several other respondents.

The legal action follows ongoing tension involving contract security guards stationed at municipal sites who claim they have gone unpaid by private security firms.

FIGHTERS CALLED IN TO ASSIST

The dispute led desperate workers to reach out to the EFF and community representatives for intervention after struggling to resolve wage shortfalls.

Speaking to Komani News, Swaartbooi confirmed stepping in to back the workers.

“They approached us as members of the EFF to try and assist them since they have been trying without any assistance,” said Swaartbooi.

Court papers reveal that CHDM is seeking the order against Swaartbooi alongside seven other individuals linked to the dispute.

COUNCIL SEEKS URGENT RELIEF

CHDM leadership has turned to the law to put an immediate stop to disruptions at its offices.

Responding to Komani News, Chris Hani District Municipality spokesperson Dr Tyembile confirmed that the municipality filed for an urgent interdict to halt unlawful actions.

“The municipality had to seek a court interdict against members in question to legally restraint unlawful behavior in municipal offices, hurling insults at municipal management, blocking entrance, virtually disrupts the entire daily operations and safety,” said Dr Tyembile.

The spokesperson highlighted a tense confrontation involving the municipality’s top administrator.

“These community members have been coming to the municipality in numerous times. In another incident with them, CHDM Municipal Manager was aggressively approached in his car,” Dr Tyembile added.

OPERATIONS MUST CONTINUE

Dr Tyembile maintained that the municipality cannot allow administrative work and service delivery to be stopped.

“Our municipality has an obligation to freely operate daily, serve the people of this district and cannot afford to be held at ransom by few individuals. The public is rightfully expecting various services from the municipality with no interruptions and those rights have to be protected as well,” Dr Tyembile stated.

Dr Tyembile added that council had exercised restraint throughout the ordeal.

“In all of this, the municipality has been patient, cooperatively and doing its best in all securing related issues to ensure suitable solutions are in place,” Dr Tyembile said.

TALKS WITH CONTRACTORS ONGOING

Addressing the issue of payments and the private security companies involved, Dr Tyembile indicated that discussions remain open.

“On the issue of payments talking specifically to security companies that the municipality previously had contracts with, the engagements between security companies and the municipality are ongoing and both parties are on the same page,” Dr Tyembile concluded.