VIDEO: Metro accused of dishonesty for claiming union involved in shooting, hijacking colleague

The South African municipal workers’ union (Samwu) has labelled Tshwane dishonest following the shooting of its staffer on August 12.

The metro had said its employee in the water and sanitation department was shot and hijacked by his striking colleagues while on his way home.

Tshwane spokesperson Selby Bokaba said the man and his team were attacked in Montana after threats from unknown suspects failed to stop them from working.

Bokaba said the attack is a consequence of the strike by employees affiliated with Samwu.

Tshwane has for over three weeks had its service delivery torn to shreds as workers affiliated with the union downed tools to demand the implementation of their 3.5% and 5.4% salary increases for the years 2021 and 2023.

Samwu Gauteng secretary Mpho Tladinyane shot down allegations the employee was attacked by union members and demanded Tshwane take responsibility for failing to protect its staff.

Tladinyane claimed that the group of employees who were harassed and (one) later shot, were members of the union.

“Samwu is devastated following the shooting of an employee and hijacking of the municipal vehicle in Montana on Saturday evening.

“We can confirm that the employee who was shot and subsequently rushed to hospital is a member of the union.”

Tladinyane said the union and its members had nothing to benefit from this incident.

“Tshwane made serious allegations against the union and its members and tried to link this unfortunate and barbaric incident to the demand for the implementation of salary increases for the years 2021 and 2023.”

He said the incident occurred on Saturday night, which was not new to workers in Tshwane.

“These are the conditions which our members and municipal workers in Tshwane are exposed to daily. We have reported many incidents wherein workers were attacked, robbed and assaulted by criminals while they were on duty.

“Tshwane has continuously failed to ensure that employees are provided with a safe and healthy working environment in line with the Occupational Health and Safety Act.”

Tladinayne said workers were anxious to respond to service complaints in various no-go areas, due to regular attacks.

“Despite our many interactions with Tshwane, there has been no appetite to provide workers a safe working environment.”

He further demanded that Tshwane desist from making unfounded accusations and retract the statement that union members were possibly involved in the hijacking and shooting at the weekend.

“Samwu demands that Tshwane take responsibility for this incident and many others, which we have reported without any action. We further demand that the city should, as dictated by the Occupational Health and Safety Act provide a working environment that is safe for workers.”

Tshwane employees have fallen victim to numerous hijackings and shootings through the years:

– In July 2023: A 29-year-old security guard died during a shootout with suspected cable thieves.
– In October 2022: Soshanguve electricity depot staff were hijacked in Winterveldt.
– In February 2019: A water tanker was hijacked in Winterveldt.

During a visit with the injured employee in the hospital on August 14, Tshwane mayor Cilliers Brink claimed that the shooting was linked to the unlawful strike action in the metro.

“Tshwane will give the employee and his family all the support that he needs, however, this should be a turning point for the strike and leadership for Samwu must take responsibility and act now to prevent the strike from deteriorating any further.”

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Brink said the strike action was now in the hands of the South African local government bargaining council (SALGBC) on August 23, 2023.

The metro had on August 10, applied for exemption from complying with the council order to increase wages within 10 days.

The council is expected to bring the city and labour unions IMATU and Samwu together for the hearing.

Tshwane’s application is anchored on “irrefutable evidence of its financial position, which is the main reason why there was no budget appropriation for wage increases for the 2023/24 financial year”.

“The budget was approved by the majority of parties represented in council at the end of May while the funding plan was given the green light by both provincial and national treasuries.

“The city is working hard to stabilise its finances through, inter alia, reducing expenditure and increasing revenue collection rate to 95%, as directed by the National Treasury.”

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