A strike which began last Wednesday by employees at Amatola Water was brought to an end when the Minister of Water and Sanitation Nomvula Mokonyane flew to the Eastern Cape to address their concerns on Saturday.

The workers, who belong to the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU), said the strike was orchestrated due to internal company politics and was not about wages or working conditions.

Thousands of residents were affected by the strike including key areas such as Buffalo City, Mthatha, Grahamstown, and surrounding towns.

SAMWU employees were determined to address their concerns to get rid of Amatola board chairwoman Nokulunga Mnqetha. The workers accuse her of being involved in fraud.

Following the urgent intervention, Mokonyane said she had ordered an investiogation against Mnqeta.

Water supply continued throughout strike

Four Amatola Water employees kept water flowing to parts of the key affected areas, while hundreds other SAMWU workers continued the unprotected strike. By Thursday night the operators were exhausted, Amatola Water CEO Lefadi Makibinyane said.

The minister’s spokesman Mlimandlela Ndamase indicated that water was expected to be fully restored to all affected areas today.

The minister will set up a task team to look into the workers’ concerns, which include a legal letter sent by chairwoman Mnqetha. The letter threatened to sue SAMWU Amatola regional chairman Victor Totolo for defamation.

Following meetings with Amatola’s board, Mnqeta was instructed by the minister to withdraw her letter to Totolo and write an apology to the union following her threats to sue.

Mnqeta could not be reached for comment.