The illegal Pikitup strike is over, the City of Joburg’s waste management entity confirmed on 3 December. “Please be advised that the illegal strike is over,” a media release from Pikitup said. “Pikitup will now intensify its recovery plan and continue to deal with the backlog. Pikitup wishes to thank the residents and business owners of the City of Joburg for their patience and cooperation.”
The statement added that residents, who are unable to wait for their normal refuse collection, should drop their rubbish at their nearest garden refuse site or landfill until 11 December. Residents were initially told on 30 November that the entity hired a third party to assist in the clean-up, but due to violence and intimidation, this proved ineffective.
Questions were sent to Pikitup spokesperson Jacky Mashapu as to what agreement was reached between the entity and its workers. Comment is awaited.
