Pretoria – Gauteng Local Government and Housing MEC Humphrey Mmemezi has called for a speedy resolution to the Pikitup strike, saying the strike had now become a health hazard.
Mmemezi urged the City of Johannesburg, Pikitup and South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) to intensify negotiations in order to bring the strike to an immediate end.
“The residents of Johannesburg would like to see this matter resolved instantly so that they can resume their normal lives. The piling up of litter can only serve to create fertile ground for diseases to spread. For the sake of the residents and hygiene, please work harder to bring an end to the strike as a matter of urgency,” he said.
The uncollected refuse provided a feeding ground for rats and insects, while the stench was negatively affecting normal life in the city, Mmemezi noted.
The strike had left many parts of Johannesburg in an undesirable state of chaos and dirt due to the litter that has not been collected for days, said Mmemezi.
He warned that situation would soon adversely affect businesses, leading to a loss of income and as a result, a loss of jobs.
Mmemezi further urged the parties to deal with the labour dispute peacefully and within labour relations frameworks. He condemned the acts of intimidation taking place during the strike, saying such acts were unacceptable and illegal.
Workers at Pikitup, who are affiliated to SAMWU, have been on strike since 7 April. The union is demanding, among others, that casual workers be made permanent employees, and that an investigation be commissioned into corruption and irregular tenders. – BuaNews
