City of Tshwane is fed up with strikes by workers, warns to act against criminals

The City of Tshwane vows to deal swiftly with disruptive perpetrators instigating criminal actions and those who are found acting outside the law.

This warning comes after a handful of Vat Alles personnel embarked on an unprotected protest action at Region 6 and 7 this morning.

The workers barricaded the regional office, set tyres alight and manhandled an official.

Executive mayoral spokesperson Sam Samkelo Mgobozi said the situation had resulted in workers being trapped and customers not being able to access the premises.

Mgobozi said the situation has resulted in workers being trapped and customers not being able to access the premises.

According to Mgobozi, the strike is a result of nonpayment to some Vat Alles workers who refused to accept the extension of their contracts for a further six months and demanded permanent placements instead.

“This is at odds with the concerns and objections already raised in the Auditor-General’s (A-G) report currently before the Council. This is with specific respect to the fact that it is irregular for the City to pay workers that are not contracted to it.

“Nor is it regular that workers continue to draw salaries from the City having not signed their contracts.”

He added it “is our steadfast contention to give effect to the recommendations made by the A-G so we may bring these practices in line with due process despite claims to the contrary,” Mgobozi said .

“This is the umpteenth disruptive, unlawful protest action experienced around the City since the beginning of the year. Perpetrators instigating criminality and found to be acting outside the law will be dealt with swiftly,” Mgobozi added.

He said contractors were hired to work on a specific project or for a specific period of time, and all contract workers were made aware of this fact when they accepted their respective offers.

“The City has negotiated with the Vat Alles employees in good faith and has always been transparent in dealing with the issue of contract workers. We are deeply worried by this trend of unlawful strikes but commit to deal decisively with them,” Mgobozi said.