Todays unlawful practice of victimization, public violence, unprotected and interdicted protest action by a minority of disgruntled SAMWU affiliated employees continues to rear its ugly head in the City of Tshwane in blind service to their narrow party political agenda without any regard for the Rule of Law prohibiting such protest action.
“Let me be clear. I simply won’t tolerate this unlawful conduct and will ensure that that the full might of the law is exerted upon those whose continue in their attempts to make the City ungovernable. They have not succeeded thus far. And they will not succeed in future.” Executive Mayor of Tshwane, Solly Msimanga, asserted. “We will continue to make progress despite this protest action. Of that, I assure the people of Tshwane!”
Today, 20 January 2017, we are made aware of yet another case of SAMWU members trashing the inner city and blocking streets. In a period of just two weeks, the City has experienced two disruptive and unlawful protests in Regions 3 and 4, in part, because employees allege they are being racially prejudiced. This is a separate matter which is being duly investigated as communicated earlier this week and potential action will ensue once investigative proceedings have been concluded in due course.
In the main workers are demanding permanent job placements within the organisation.
Just earlier this week disgruntled contract workers held City Officials hostage at the 373 Pretorius Street Building seeking to pressure the City to absorb them as permanent employees. While the substantive matter of their grievances is still to be interrogated further, it is entirely unacceptable and not in the spirit of our constitutional order to conduct protest in this fashion at the expense of the millions of people who need services. This sort of conduct not only undermines their plight but the provision of services they are contractually and legally bound to provide.
Executive Mayor, Solly Msimanga, stated categorically and emphatically: “While we recognise the serious nature of the grievances, we have to state that this unruly conduct cannot continue unabated and cannot become the norm. The City operates on an orderly grievance system and will not tolerate the use of violence as a negotiating tactic. Aggrieved personnel should make use of the correct dispute resolution avenues at all times regardless of the sensitivity of the dispute.
That systems are ignored and the law taken into one’s own hands to make a point is a disservice to the organization and the residents of the city who expect efficient service delivery at all times. Our City cannot and will not function in this fashion and decisive action will be taken against those who continue to insight and participate in protest action that falls outside the bounds of the law.”
We value the safety of our employees like we value the safety of the public and thus urge the unions to facilitate proper engagements with affected constituencies to avoid further standoffs.
The Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) will study CCTV footage to identify perpetrators who instigate criminality and they will be charged. There is an investigation into this matter to determine if there are grounds to take immediate disciplinary action. We will also cooperate with the South African Police Service (SAPS) in any criminal investigation.
We commit to investigate all charges brought to our attention through established legal platforms and strongly condemn the wholly unlawful manner in which these disputes have been handled thus far.