Local News
Metsimaholo municipality issues ultimatum to striking Samwu workers─── DANE DANE 07:40 Thu, 17 Jul 2014
Dane Beisheim
Sasolburg - Striking members of the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) in Sasolburg have until tomorrow to report back for duty or face disciplinary action.
Metsimaholo municipality spokesperson Gino Alberts says the strike, which has seen at least 76 foreign-owned tuck shops looted and damaged, is unprotected and thus illegal.
Fifty-nine people, including six minors, have been arrested on charges of public violence. Metsimaholo workers claim the municipality has failed to heed their complaints.
These include among others, grievances relating to the filling of vacant posts, as temporary employees don’t receive first preference.
Alberts says employees who fail to report to work by tomorrow will face serious consequences.
The unrest began on Tuesday when a group of about 300 people barricaded the R82 Koppies road with burning tyres.
The unrest began on Tuesday when a group of about 300 people barricaded the R82 Koppies road with burning tyres.
Police dispersed the crowd which later proceeded to Zamdela and started looting foreigners’ tuck-shops.
One was set alight by protestors yesterday.
They 59 are expected to appear in the Sasolburg Magistrate's court tomorrow.
Gino Alberts :
