The South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) has expressed concern that the South African Communist Party’s (SACP) decision to contest the upcoming local government elections separately from the African National Congress (ANC) will divide workers.
Delegates voiced these views during SAMWU’s 13th National Congress, held in Mbombela, Mpumalanga. Discussions at the congress were dominated by the deteriorating state of municipalities across South Africa, which delegates said is severely impacting municipal workers.
SAMWU highlighted ongoing crises including the non-payment of salaries and benefits, poor working conditions, lack of resources, and the outsourcing of services. Delegates described workers as being “under attack,” with municipalities collapsing and political interference intensifying, placing growing pressure on the workforce.
Despite these concerns, the union pledged its support for both the ANC and the SACP in the forthcoming local government elections. Speakers at the congress emphasized unity, criticizing the SACP’s move toward separate contestation as divisive. One delegate questioned the SACP on its criteria for determining where it is “strong” enough to run independently, asking for a clear “barometer” to measure such strength, drawing applause and cheers from attendees. The approach was likened by some to actions that risk splitting the house and dividing workers.
SAMWU reiterated that its primary focus remains shop-floor issues rather than deeper involvement in political party disputes. The union stressed the need to prioritize workers’ demands, hold municipal leadership accountable, and create conducive working environments to enable effective service delivery to communities.
The union called on the government to address workers’ demands urgently and urged the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) not to oppose gains achieved through bargaining councils. SAMWU committed to continued engagement with government to meet workers’ needs and stabilize municipal services.