The regional South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) has accused Tshwane City Manager Johann Mettler of blocking a planned march aimed at demanding his removal from office. 

The march, scheduled for Thursday, was meant to highlight workers’ worsening conditions since Mettler’s appointment in 2022, among other issues.

Regional Samwu secretary Donald Monakhisi condemned the city’s refusal to grant march permission, calling it an attack on workers’ rights. 

“We note with great concern and disappointment the city’s refusal to grant us permission for the planned march,” he said. 

He criticised Mettler, saying he intended to weaken Samwu and infringe upon workers’ constitutional rights.

The march was called off after Mettler wrote a letter dated July 10, 2025, to Monakhisi, in which he expressed concern about a planned march, saying no request or approval was granted by the city to its employees to participate in a Samwu march.

Mettler justified the refusal by citing the SA Local Government Bargaining Council’s main collective agreement, which allows shop stewards to meet with members for specific periods but does not provide for marches. 

He also cited a Labour Court interdict granted on September 18, 2023, restricting Samwu from embarking on unlawful protest action.

“The call by Samwu on its members to embark on a march is based on the city’s non-payment of the 3.5% and 5.4% salary increases. Samwu is reminded that a final court interdict was granted by the Labour Court on September 18, 2023, restricting Samwu from embarking on any unlawful protest action,” he wrote.

Mettler mentioned that a Samwu march planned on July 17, 2025, would be unauthorised and unlawful, particularly regarding city employee participation, as it contravenes an existing court interdict.

“Any city employee who participates in the march will be contravening the court order and may face dismissal,” he said.

However, Monakhisi disputed Mettler’s claim of not being notified, stating that the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) had approved the gathering on July 10, 2025, under reference number 038/07/2025. 

The TMPD’s approval letter, seen by IOL, grants permission for the march, stating: “Permission is hereby granted in terms of the Regulation of Gatherings Act No 205 of 1993 to the South African Municipal Workers Union.”

The letter also specifies that the march will be staged on July 17, starting at the Old Putco Depot, with Tshwane House as the destination.

Asked to confirm whether Mettler indeed prohibited the union from holding the planned march, the city’s spokesperson, Selby Bokaba, said: “The march has been postponed and the city has no further comment.”

Samwu has vowed to seek legal advice and explore all lawful avenues to challenge the decision and protect its members’ rights.

rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za

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