The South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) has expressed hope that the incoming administration of the City of Tshwane will focus on enhancing workers’ salaries. This comes as the city has 13 days to elect a new mayor following the removal of the Democratic Alliance's (DA) Cilliers Brink, who was ousted in a vote of no confidence spearheaded by the ANC with support from ActionSA.
SAMWU claims that under Brink’s leadership, numerous workers were unfairly dismissed. Precious Theledi, the regional secretary of SAMWU in Tshwane, welcomed Brink’s removal, stating, “During the DA administration, many workers faced unjust dismissals. We had 45 employees who were dismissed without due process, and many workers did not receive a salary increase for two years.”
In response to Brink’s ousting, DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga commented that this change provides an opportunity for introspection within the Government of National Unity (GNU). He noted that the party is prepared to seek alliances with other political groups willing to collaborate with them.