UPDATE: Striking workers remove driver from truck
JOBURG - Pikitup has warned striking staff there will be harsh consequences if they don't abide by a court order and return to their posts immediately.
UPDATE: 25 November 2015, 4pm – According to former Kaizer Chief’s midfielder David Mathebula, he was not in the car when the truck crashed into it.
UPDATE: 25 November 2015, 15:30 – At Stiemens Street, striking workers allegedly forced a driver out of a waste collection truck.
The truck then rolled down the street and crashed into a parked BMW on the street and then into a tree.
Some business operators are selling goods from behind burglar bars.
It is believed that the BMW 1 Series belongs to former Kaizer Chief’s midfielder David Mathebula.
No one was injured during this incident.
UPDATE: 25 November 2015, 15:15pm – There is heavy police presence outside Pikitup’s Head Office in Braamfontein.
The heavy police presence comes after South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) members allegedly tried to burn down the building.
There are about 50 South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) marching on Jorissen Street in Braamfontein singing liberation songs.
Thousands of workers affiliated to the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) went on strike, demanding salary increases and better working conditions.
On 25 November, residents of suburbs in Johannesburg were warned to keep their waste bins inside their properties because Pikitup refuse collection as the strike had still not been resolved.
Managing director Amanda Nair of Pikitup had secured a court interdict preventing workers from continuing with their “unprotected strike”.
Click here to read: Fire in Braamfontein
PICK IT UP EMPLOYEES RUNNING RIOT IN BRAAMFONTEIN : AVOID AREA OF THEIR HQ. pic.twitter.com/qi4PAzXy8O
— REZA (@crimeairnetwork) November 25, 2015
The South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) chairman at Pikitup, Johannes Phalamashweu, said members wanted the company’s managing director Amanda Nair to step down because “she was corrupt”.
According to IOL online, Phalamashweu said Nair was also victimizing workers. He cited a case in which she allegedly fired two employees involved in a fight without following due process.
The streets of Braamfontein are filled with waste and panicked protesters as police have fired rubber bullets and stun grenades.
View tweets about the strike below:
Braam is a mess!!!🙈
— Thabitha (@Nthabi_Motlatle) November 25, 2015
Just to be sane, when I walk around Braam later, i'm gona view the litter from an Artist's perspective.
— Brigadier General 🏆🏆🏆 (@ChiefExo) November 25, 2015
I wouldn't be caught dead in Braam right now https://t.co/P9k2V4kLe7
— Ndimhle Fcuked Up (@JackDevero) November 25, 2015
I wouldn't be caught dead in Braam right now https://t.co/P9k2V4kLe7
— Ndimhle Fcuked Up (@JackDevero) November 25, 2015
The rubbish-infested streets of Braam even got traffic police directing traffic again
— Ayanda M* (@Ayola_M) November 25, 2015
Day 2 of #samwu protest: smoke from fire spreads over Braam, as stun grenades are thrown @LiveVIPZA pic.twitter.com/uH7XyRGBQd
— Abigail Javier (@AbigailJavier_) November 25, 2015
The streets of Braam smell like sh*t
— Lemon 🍋 † ° Δ (@Edson_Carlos_M) November 25, 2015
https://twitter.com/fistvoices/status/669458022633234432