It has been more than a week since the City of Joburg’s waste management entity Pikitup workers began a tools-down operation. And numerous locations in Johannesburg are still littered with uncollected rubbish.
Protesters have shut down depots, demanding that the entity gives them permanent employment.
Speaking on behalf of Pikitup, Muzi Mkhwanazi stated that the company has deployed the Public Order Policing (POP) unit. This is meant to clear protesters from its depots, allowing staff members to resume rubbish collection services for the city’s residences.
Casual Expanded Public Works Programme workers
According to Mkhwanazi, the protesters include workers whose contracts with the Expanded Public Works Programme are about to expire. Also community members who have blocked access to various Pikitup depots. These are the Norwood, Selby, Marlboro, Randburg, Diesloot, Midrand, and Roodepoort depots.
“They are all demanding permanent employment with the waste management company. POP units have been instructed to arrest and remove these lawbreakers to allow Pikitup staff to perform their duties,” said Mkhwanazi.
He added that they have also roped in private security personnel and the Johannesburg Metro police (JMPD). They will escort employees as they provide services to residents.
“It is important to clarify that the current protest action is not a strike by Pikitup’s employees. Casual …workers are the ones engaging in this protest action.
Non-union members
“This means that members of the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) and the Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (IMATU), the recognised unions within the organisation, are not on strike,” Mkhwanazi added.
Despite deploying POP units, Mkhwanazi said Pikitup is committed to engaging with protesters’ representatives. This is aimed at finding an amicable solution.
“These efforts are expected to facilitate the reopening of the depots soon. Pikitup reassures the city’s residents that every effort is being made to restore waste collection services.
“Residents in affected areas are encouraged to dispose of their waste at Pikitup’s integrated waste management facilities while the matter is being resolved.”
