City of Tshwane embark on a rescue mission amid illegal strike by municipal workers

City of Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink says the city’s employees are working hard to restore services despite the volatile conditions.

The striking municipal workers are allegedly using violence and intimidation to demand a 3.5% and 5.4% salary increases in spite of possible job loss.

ALSO READ: Striking municipal workers refuse to budge on 0% wage as strike continues

According to Brink, most City employees are on duty to provide services to residents, however some services remain suspended due to threats and intimidation of working employees.

In an X (formerly known as Twitter) post Brink said, “despite the illegal strike, threats and intimidation our teams were out on the streets last night cleaning as much of the inner city as possible”.

ALSO READ: City of Tshwane fails to pay workers salary increases, cites liquidation

City of Tshwane health care takes a knock due to the strike

The City’s MMC of health, Rina Marx, confirmed that the FF Ribeiro, Folang, Rosslyn, Karenpark, Lyttelton and Hercules clinics were forced to close due to the strike action.

“Employees who have embarked on this unprotected strike action are endangering the lives of innocent patients who need critical medical services,” said Marx.

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Service delivery in Tshwane interrupted

Brink descried the conditions in the city as an assault and implored to residents to understand why there is a disruption in services.

“Several clinics, customer care walk-in centres and A Re Yeng bus operations, day to day services such as power failures and waste collection remain impacted,” said Brink.

In a recent update, the Ga-Rankuwa and Rosslyn Fire Stations have also been closed due to intimidation and threats.

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What caused the illegal strike?

Members of the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) took to the streets to express their dissatisfaction over the 0% wage and salary increase for 2023-2024 passed by the council, among other issues.

The workers continued with the action prompting threats from the city management that they would be identifying those who had taken part, and they could face dismissal.

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Brink explained however, that the municipality could not afford salary increases and we will be looking at mitigation.

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