A noisy WhatsApp group of disgruntled municipal workers is the source of allegations of a plot to kidnap Tshwane mayor Cilliers Brink’s wife.
Akin to a beer hall rant, members of the social media group vent against Brink for not caving in the ongoing wage strike led by the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu).
In a series of eyebrow-raising WhatsApp messages that Sunday World has seen, the members seemed to channel their inner spy-movie protagonists.
The group members appeared to take inspiration from action-packed thrillers, with one suggesting a plan to kidnap the mayor’s wife, in a bid to have their demands met.
“Maybe we should kidnap Brink’s wife, whom he calls her Josefina Brinks.”
This was in response to another member’s complaint that some in the group were just too noisy to be seen in the streets.
Another suggested that the striking workers enlist the services of John Wick, a notorious gangster in Mamelodi named after the famous movie character.
While some may question the strategic soundness of this approach, Samwu members appeared committed to their mission to apply pressure.
“Brink o tella ka nnete [he is really disrespectful] and we have to make sure that things are not normal in town, we have to close town, businesses in town have to feel the pressure and blame him ” reads one message.
Because, clearly, nothing says “not normal” like an attempted kidnapping in the heart of the city.
Samwu members appear determined to close down the city, with one message urging: “We have to close town, businesses in town have to feel the pressure and blame him.”
“Colleagues, we need to come out in numbers to make the City of Tshwane ungovernable like the way the taxi drivers are doing at the City of Cape Town.”
It is safe to say that Samwu’s creative strategy has given the concept of ‘urban disruption’ a whole twist.
In the midst of these strange messages, phrases like “inciting civil war” and “turning upside down” have popped up, leading some to wonder if they’ve accidentally stumbled upon a secret agent’s group chat rather than a union’s discussion platform.
“Kuzonyiwa [It going to be really bad] soon watch this space. This people are inciting civil war.”
“The only thing to do ma comrades is to fight, close all the municipal offices until we are under administration, then we will get all our money…Brink is so stubborn, we can all see that he will never give us our money.”
The DA, however, was not amused by SAMWU’s theatrics. The party has filed a case of conspiracy to kidnap and cause grievous bodily harm against Samwu members.
In response to these allegations, the DA spokesperson remarked: “The union cannot be allowed to voice their frustrations through illegal and dangerous activities.”
Meanwhile, one can only imagine the mayor must be looking at his wife with newfound appreciation for her role as a bargaining chip in this grand negotiation.
As Samwu’s protest continues, the city has witnessed disruptions that range from the mildly inconvenient to the downright perplexing.
Concern of trash bins moving about the city were also raised in the comic WhatsApp group, with one member suggesting that garbage bins might hold the key to resolving the wage crisis.
Another member expressed concerns about the network’s effectiveness and recommended its shutdown.
“Why do we still have network in the city? Those who know how much do the things that will frustrate those thinking they are working. All systems is still on. Those deputy directors, directors and the other small rats will sit and do nothing.”
While Tshwane’s service delivery plans appear to be caught in the crossfire of this cinematic showdown, the mayor’s wife remains safe and sound.
As the city collectively holds its breath, wondering what other unexpected plot twists might unfold, one thing is for certain: Samwu has certainly managed to keep us all entertained in the midst of their wage strike antics.
Samwu was not immediately available to respond to requests for comments.
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