THE torching of the Mpukonyoni Tribal Authority (MTA) court building last Thursday follows a week of threats issued against members of the MTA’s executive by what are reported to be striking employees of the Tendele mine.
The strikers were upset and angered that the mine’s management had, rightly according to accepted procedures, opened up discussions with the traditionally accepted political leaders of the region.
The striking miners threatened `retaliation’ if the MTA did not withdraw from these talks.
In line with the direction strikes are taking lately in South Africa – where reasoned discussions have been relegated a back seat – when the MTA did not withdraw from the talks the striking miners reportedly torched a tribal court building which they perceived to be MTA property.
This disgusting and criminal behaviour has lately become the norm in labour relations disputes, whether in the health, municipal, mining, educational, agricultural, transport workers or whatever sector.
If an issue cannot be decently resolved early in the talks, strikers recklessly and violently take to the streets, uttering dark threats of revolution and committing crimes against society at large.
When will we reach the stage where civility rules, where labour or any other disputes are resolved in a mature and intelligent manner instead of the ongoing senseless mob violence we have to endure month after month and year after year?
More importantly, when can we expect quality leadership this country so badly needs?
