SAMWU leader fingered in torching of City of Tshwane waste truck

City of Tshwane Manager John Mettler has issued a letter of dismissal to a South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) leader for his link to the recent torching of a waste truck belonging to a contractor.

This was confirmed by City of Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink during a briefing on Thursday, 12 October.

SAMWU LEADER LINKED TO TORCHING OF A CITY OF TSHWANE WASTE TRUCK

During the briefing, Brink said video evidence shows a group of people being dropped off on the street. They then proceed to attack the waste truck and set it alight. They are then collected by the same vehicle that dropped them off and flee the scene.

Brink said they were able to establish that the vehicle belongs to the SAMWU official through its make, model and registration.

“The City Manager informed me that investigators had established that the official’s alibi about the possession of the vehicle on the day of the attack could not be verified. The City Manager has issued him with a letter of dismissal,” Brink said.

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CALL FOR WORKERS TO BE ALLOWED TO WORK

Furthermore, Brink called on the leadership of SAMWU to reflect on the incident and to ensure that their members allow fellow City of Tshwane officials and contractors to do their work without fearing for their lives.

In August this year a City of Tshwane employee was shot and hijacked after completing his shift.

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The municipality said a standby team from the Water and Sanitation Section was working in Montana, Region 2, when they were confronted by a group of men who intimidated and instructed them to stop working.

The team reportedly ignored them and continued to render the service.

The City of Tshwane said upon completing the shift, the standby team leader was shot and hijacked, he was then rushed to hospital.

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