At its 13th congress, which took place in September, Cosatu, the biggest trade union federation in SA, made this point regarding the destruction of public property: “The destruction of public institutions and infrastructure during protests is a criminal act.”
Cosatu justified its stance by stating that public infrastructure is “fundamental to the lives and wellbeing of communities”. It further resolved that the destruction of property should be viewed as a direct attack on the state.
I am quoting these Cosatu resolutions because of the illegal strike that has been unfolding in Buffalo City Metro.
It is important to state that as the political leadership of the institution, we have been intervening with the hope of speeding up processes towards the finalisation of the strike.
The intention of this article is only to discuss the question of the vandalism and arson which has characterised the strike.
While the unions argue they are not on strike, it is important to characterise the current activities as a strike since labour has been withdrawn, affecting the capacity of the metro to delivery optimally.
I have elsewhere described the unfolding actions as a “wild-cat strike”, meaning that it is a strike that could have not been foreseen.
Despite this fact, I have emphasised the point that protest is part of our democratic order and therefore those who have taken such an option should be allowed to do so – but they should do so within the ambits of the constitution of the republic. This means acts of vandalism and disruption, which impact on the rights of others, are criminal and distasteful, and deserve the harshest condemnation.
The vandals destroyed our water infrastructure in certain areas of Mdantsane and King William’s Town. They destroyed three electricity sub-stations and poles in various areas of the metro. They even went further to burn a newly acquired refuse removal truck and destroyed infrastructure at our traffic departments.
It is not even a matter for debate that the destruction of the infrastructure that is meant to provide basic services to the working class and the poor is counter-revolutionary. In the same resolution on the protection of public infrastructure, Cosatu is even harsher, stating that “the destruction of these institutions and infrastructure should be treated as treason”.
It is a sad reality that some within the municipal workers have decided to abuse the plight of our people in as a bargaining instrument.
Cutting water pipes that are supposed to provid a basic need to our people, including the frail, is distasteful and goes against any form of revolutionary activity.
The acts should be viewed for what they are, a blatant disregard for our people and the manipulation of their plight to suit the needs or agendas of a few. It is a gross misunderstanding of revolutionary trade unionism and goes against the teachings of Cosatu and its affiliated unions.
The section of the workers who did this had hoped the people of our metro would protest against the metro for the termination of the services and that this would, in turn, strong-arm the municipality to agree to even the most absurd demands.
They had forgotten the revolutionary nature of our people, which is evidenced by how they resisted such attempts during the dark days of apartheid.
Our people have instead seen the acts of the vandals for what they are – disruptive attempts at weakening the state and undermining service delivery.
The acts of these vandals were taking our people for granted in the hope that they could be manipulated that easily. While the frustration regarding water and electricity was felt, we appreciate the patience shown in the past two weeks and we are committed to resolving the strike in order to bring the matter to finality.
Once more I want to apologise to our people for the destruction of services and want to appreciate the understanding and support that they continue to show.
We want to now urge our people to continue supporting their municipality and its leadership by reporting the criminal acts of vandalism. The vandals need to be arrested so that they receive the full might of the law in a manner that is proportionate to their actions.
The resistance of our people against acts of manipulation continues to show why they have been described as the motive force in the advancement of the National Democratic Revolution and the creation of a better life for all.
The masses have given the vandals a lesson in revolutionary theory and have shown that in everything that we do the people are a guide.
Xola Pakati is the executive mayor of Buffalo City Metro...