The evening of 28 February was marked by unrest in Hillbrow as members of Jozi@Work overturned garbage bins, littered, burnt tyres and threatened Pikitup staff during their cleaning shift.
Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba said, in his recent adjustment budget speech, that R49.2 million has been allocated to Pikitup in a bid to clean up the City of Johannesburg, with additional cleaning shifts in the inner city and informal settlements being initiated.
MMC for Environmental and Infrastructure Delivery Services Nico de Jager said, “Due to the volatile situation, about 600 Pikitup workers who were due to start with the additional cleaning shift in Hillbrow, cannot continue as their safety cannot be guaranteed at this time.”
He added, “I have engaged MMC for Public Safety, Michael Sun about this matter, and have been informed that the Johannesburg Metro Police Department and Pikitup will strategise how best to work together to ensure the safety of Pikitup workers.”
De Jager said, “Damaging City infrastructure, threatening and intimidating Pikitup workers and hampering the City from delivering services to the residents of Johannesburg, who have a right to quality service delivery, must be condemned in the strongest terms.”
Details: www.joburg.org.za
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