Lerato Mbhiza
THE South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) has denied claims that it was responsible for the shooting and hijacking of a City of Tshwane employee during a workers’ strike over various issues including non-payment of salary increase.
The City of Tshwane said the ongoing strike action by employees affiliated to labour union, Samwu has degenerated into “thuggery and wanton criminality” after an employee was shot and hijacked shortly upon completing a shift.
City of Tshwane spokesperson, Selby Bokaba said the horrific incident happened on Saturday evening.
The strike, which has been declared unlawful and illegal by the Labour Court, will enter its third week on Wednesday.
The workers are also demanding a 3.5% and 5.4% salary increase and amount that City of Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink said the city cannot afford.
Samwu regional secretary in Tshwane Precious Theledi said the attack on the workers is nothing new because many of their members are exposed to attacks, robberies and assaults by criminals while on duty and the city is failing to protect them.
“The incident that occurred on Saturday night is not new to workers in Tshwane. These are the conditions which our members and municipal workers in the City of Tshwane are exposed to daily. We have reported to the city many incidents wherein workers were attacked, robbed, and assaulted by criminals while they were on duty.
“These workers who are the machines that keep Tshwane running and delivering services have been shown the middle finger by their employer that refuses to comply with binding collective agreements which the city is party to”.
Theledi confirmed that the employee who was shot and subsequently rushed to hospital is a union member.
“As Samwu, we take exception to the accusations made by Mr Bokaba on behalf of the city and the City Manager, Mr Johann Mettler. As we said, the employees who were harassed and later shot are members of the union.
“Samwu therefore demands the immediate retraction of the statement issued by Mr. Bokaba on behalf of Mr. Mettler and the City. We further demand that Mr. Bokaba and Mettler publicly apologise to municipal workers, Samwu and its members for the unfounded allegations which they have made.
“Additionally, Samwu is demanding that the city take responsibility for the incident and many others which we have reported without any action. We further demand that the city should, as dictated by the Occupational Health and Safety Act, provide a working environment that is safe for workers” Theledi said.
Samwu members, and municipal workers in general remain committed to providing services to residents of Tshwane, said Theledi. “The delivery of services can however not come at the cost of municipal workers’ lives. We once again wish speedy recovery to our members and trust that the other employees will be provided with the necessary support by the city”.
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