Tension simmering between residents and Pikitup strike

The protracted strike by Pikitup workers affiliated to the South African Municipal Workers Union has created tension between the strikers and residents who feel undeserving of the health hazards resulting from the work stoppage.

The strike, in its fourth week, follows intermittent strikes last year which ended after a brokered deal with City management which had come unstuck. This in spite of two court interdicts the City management said the strikers were violating. The deal would have seen a senior advocate being assigned to address the workers’ demands, which are mainly salary increases and the removal of Pikitup’s managing director, Amanda Nair, who they have accused of impropriety and corruption.

The Alexandra community feels they are collateral victims in a war not of their making. “Some of our children have contracted illnesses from the uncollected rotting garbage and we are insulted by clinic staff who accused us of neglecting the children. Adults will also get ill soon if no solution was found urgently,”said Beauty Maphala.

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The strike, she said, has also created tension between strikers who are also residents and the rest of the community. She fears this could result in a full-scale confrontation. This she said in reference to clashes over the weekend when a group, alleged to be strikers, their sympathisers or criminals, allegedly attacked and injured a Pikitup truck driver who had been dispatched to load rubbish which was gathered voluntarily by the residents and councillors.

Maphala also claimed that even before the strike, residents were displeased with the quality of work of some of the agency workers. “Some spent time seated in parks or under trees, others could be seen drinking alcohol during working [hours]. Many of them didn’t do their cleaning work thoroughly, they refused to give us plastic bags for the rubbish we gather, as we have opted to clean our section of the street, or they sold the bags for R10 each.”

Maphala also pleaded for metal bins instead of plastic bins or bags as she said they were eaten by rats or destroyed by stray dogs, leaving the garbage scattered.

Other residents alleged that the streets were trashed by the strikers overnight after they had been cleaned by residents during the day. Opting to remain anonymous they said, “The strikers have a right to protest but trashing the streets is irresponsible as it affects residents who have nothing to do with their labour concerns. Why not trash at the council offices and homes of the officials?”

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The residents said they used their own brooms and disinfectants to prevent possible diseases.

“The trash and tree branches block roads, cause traffic jams and endanger vehicle tyres from broken bottles,” she said. The resident also expressed concern about rubbish accumulating around electric lines and power boxes, making it difficult for City power officials to attend to power failures.