EFF denies being mastermind of ‘violent’ MyCiti bus strike

The City of Cape Town has released a statement claiming that the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) are the “masterminds” behind a “wildcat strike” of MyCiTi bus employees that has allegedly turned violent.

“Two female bus drivers were held hostage, passengers were chased out of the MyCiTi stations, MyCiTi buses were stoned, along with further acts of intimidation, assault, and the blocking of roads,” according to the statement.

The strongly worded statement continues to allege that the EFF is using the strike to “drive their political agenda – this is a deplorable agenda centred around chaos, violence, disruption, sabotage, and self-interest”.

READ MORE: Illegal strike halts Cape Town bus service

“They have no respect for the residents of this city, neither the thousands of commuters who rely on the MyCiTi service, nor do they care about those whom they have enticed into participating in this strike.

“Worst of all is that the EFF is using the striking employees as their puppets and, once the show is over, they will vanish into thin air.”

But the EFF denied being behind the strike – although they admitted to joining it – and they have also disputed the level of violence.

The party’s provincial secretary Andrew Arnolds told EWN: “There was nothing happening. No bus was stoned and no infrastructure was damaged. The message also now coming from workers and us is that this is a peaceful demonstration, which we have shown since Monday and until today.”

The strikes appear to be caused by unhappiness over work conditions, safety, and outsourcing.

Morning Brett. The EFF's involvement in the strike (of which their being BEHIND IT is debatable) doesn't take away from the fact that Myciti employees were unhappy about work conditions, safety and the outsouurcing. What does the City have to say about their demands?

— POSH (@PortiaLujabe) October 17, 2018

But according to the city: “The so-called ‘outsourcing’ of labour that is being referred to by the EFF is a myth.”

The statement then goes on to accuse those striking of a failure to “understand” how the rapid transit bus system came about.

The statement, which can be read in its entirety here, then goes into some detail.

https://twitter.com/Sentletse/status/1052844015975059456

EFF supporters have joined the #MyCiTi strikers bearing T-shirts and placards. The unprotected workers’ strike has now entered its fourth day with yet no meeting with Councillor Herron. @TeamNews24 pic.twitter.com/s6ogXKW3qb

— Kelvin Suddason (@KelvinSuddason) October 18, 2018

Members of th EFF arrive at the Cape Town Civic Centre in support of #MyCiTi strike. Crowd applauded when the EFF convoy was spotted at intersection (@KelvinSuddason) pic.twitter.com/ayWR7MnzBx

— Team News24 (@TeamNews24) October 16, 2018

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